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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Tom Victor

How Chelsea could line up next season with 4 exits, loan returns and transfer restrictions

Chelsea face an uncertain future after the imposition of UK government sanctions against owner Roman Abramovich.

The Russian had previously confirmed plans to sell the club, and a sale could still be permitted if certain criteria are met, but the heavily restricted and temporary license imposed on the club - allowing them to fulfil footballing obligations - means questions remain over the future of a number of squad members.

As many as 10 Chelsea players could end up leaving at the end of the current campaign if restrictions prevent the club from offering contract extensions.

This includes defensive trio Cesar Azpilicueta, Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger, all of whom are out of contract at the end of the current season, while loanee Saul Niguez would likely return to parent club Atletico Madrid.

However, the situation could end up prompting the club to integrate some of their loanees back into the squad, even if Thomas Tuchel - whose odds to become the next Premier League manager to leave his post have been slashed - isn't in charge.

Mirror Football has taken a look at how Chelsea could line up next term as the reigning European champions deal with a challenging situation.

How do you expect Chelsea to line up next season? Have your say in the comments section

Abramovich has been added to the UK government's list of sanctioned individuals (REUTERS)

Goalkeeper

The goalkeeper position is one where Chelsea look unlikely to be impacted too drastically.

Edouard Mendy is under contract until 2025, as is Kepa Arrizabalaga, while third-choice keeper Marcus Bettinelli will be with the Blues until 2023.

23-year-old academy talent Nathan Baxter is one of several goalkeepers currently out on loan, getting minutes for Hull City, and the youngster could be reintegrated as he prepares to enter the final year of his Blues deal next season.

Defence

This is quite clearly the biggest problem area, with Azpilicueta, Christensen and Rudiger all potentially walking away in the summer.

All three have featured prominently for Chelsea this season, and efforts had been made - without success - to tie the trio down to longer-term deals.

Full-backs Reece James and Marcos Alonso will remain available, while Chelsea will hope to have Ben Chilwell back as early as possible after his season-ending injury.

Chilwell is expected back next season (PA)

In the middle, though, it could mean more minutes for the likes of Trevoh Chalobah and Malang Sarr alongside Thiago Silva, who signed an extension to his own deal earlier this season.

We could even see more involvement for the likes of Ethan Ampadu and Matt Miazga, both of whom have picked up minutes on loan in top European leagues this season.

Midfield

The only potential exits for the Blues in midfield concern players who were not expected to play a part even before the latest developments.

Saul's loan from Atletico Madrid was not guaranteed to lead to a permanent move, with the Spaniard taking a while to make an impact after his summer arrival, while out-of-contract Charly Musonda had already confirmed his intention to move on.

Saul's loan ends at the end of the current campaign (NurPhoto/PA Images)

N'Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic have been among the most impressive of Chelsea's midfield options, while Jorginho and Ruben Loftus-Cheek, among others, have offered alternatives.

Amid all the worrying news, some Chelsea fans may be excited by the prospect of Conor Gallagher returning to play a part at Stamford Bridge next term after his impressive loan spell at Crystal Palace.

Other loanees who could find themselves back in west London include Billy Gilmour, Tiemoue Bakayoko and Danny Drinkwater, with the trio enjoying mixed levels of success this season.

Attack

It's much of a muchness in attack, where the bigger concern for the Blues might be an inability to add reinforcements or bring in fees for those out of favour.

They could find themselves unable to shift misfiring record signing Romelu Lukaku if restrictions remain in place, with fellow big-money signing Timo Werner also linked with a summer exit before the latest developments brought big question marks.

One player who could end up with first team minutes sooner than expected is Armando Broja, with the Albanian international impressing in his Southampton loan spell and attracting reported interest from a number of Premier League clubs.

Michy Batshuayi has also impressed in front of goal for Besiktas, having recently extended his Chelsea contract until 2023.

However, with the likes of Kai Havertz, Christian Pulisic and Callum Hudson-Odoi all available, with Mason Mount an option in a front three or in midfield, Chelsea remain relatively well-stocked.

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