Liam Delap and Nicolas Jackson, two names Chelsea fans know, are currently among a whopping *dozen* players training separately from the first team. We’re talking 12 guys, including Mykhailo Mudryk, Jordan Henderson, and Danny Welbeck, all working apart from Xabi Alonso’s main squad at Cobham. This isn’t just some minor thing; it’s a significant chunk of the roster sidelined right before the Premier League season kicks off.
This Ain’t No “Bomb Squad,” But It’s Still a Problem
Chelsea insiders are quick to say this isn’t like those old “bomb squad” situations we saw under BlueCo, and they’ve even got new signings Henderson and Welbeck in this group. Apparently, those two are just getting up to speed, with their training customized for individual workload and whatever Alonso’s doing with the primary group. But let’s be real, having 12 guys separate days before the Fulham opener at Craven Cottage is a wild look. Alonso is actively collaborating with the club’s sporting directors to cut down this roster. Why? Because the official website lists a staggering 41 first-team players, and that number doesn’t even count Axel Disasi! Sure, some academy prospects are in that tally, but 41 is a ridiculous number to manage for any coach, let alone one trying to kick off a new campaign.
Who’s Getting Cut, and For How Much?!
The word from the club is clear: several players from this separate training unit are on the transfer market. And get this: Liam Delap is available for a fee in excess of £50 million, which is about $68 million. Nicolas Jackson? He can leave if a £65 million ($88.5 million) valuation gets met. That’s some serious cash floating around. Defenders Axel Disasi and Tosin Adarabioyo are also expected to move on, attracting interest from both Premier League and overseas clubs, though no deals are close yet. Then there’s Mykhailo Mudryk, who’s being made available for a loan after returning from an extended ban, but Chelsea hasn’t found a temporary home for him yet. This isn’t just about reducing numbers; it’s about trying to recoup some major funds.
What Happens When the Ball Rolls?
With the Premier League curtain-raiser against Fulham just days away, you gotta wonder how this huge roster and all these separate training groups are impacting team cohesion. Emmanuel Emegha, who just joined from RC Strasbourg this summer, is one guy Alonso is counting on. He’s anticipated to compete for the No. 9 spot alongside Welbeck and Joao Pedro. The Blues have a lot of moving parts to sort out, and fast, if they want to hit the ground running this season.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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