Chelsea are gearing up for some serious changes. Not only have they already moved on 10 first team stars in the past seven months with more to follow, their manager has changed twice permanently in that time as well.
This is nothing new for the Todd Boehly-Clearlake Capital administration, but there is a move towards a young side. There is the very realistic chance that come the first day of the new season, a home test against Liverpool, just three of the team that started against the same opponents last season will once again be lining up.
Such was the nature of the calamatous end to last campaign, most of the players that have been sold this window had already been exciled. Kalidou Koulibaly was injured, Edouard Mendy less than an outside thought, Mateo Kovacic was a substitute, Joao Felix the same.
Christian Pulisic came off the bench whilst Hakim Ziyech remained sidelined. Cesar Azpilicueta and Ruben Loftus-Cheek got a Stamford Bridge farewell, Mason Mount and N'Golo Kante missed it through injury. The average age of the squad that day was 25.9. It was still less than the overall average age for the season but compared to the group that may well line-up against Jurgen Klopp's side, it is positively ancient.
Four players aged 30 or older have left the club in this window alone, Jorginho made the move to Arsenal in January and the potential new recruits have all been baby faced or much younger. At 25, Christopher Nkunku may well end up being the most senior addition to the group.
It is a potentially risky play from the club but in Mauricio Pochettino they have a coach that works well under such circumstances and prides himself on developing young, hungry players and making them work together as part of an energetic, cohesive unit.
READ MORE: Chelsea news and transfers LIVE: Levi Colwill message, Paulo Dybala deal, Christian Pulisic exit
Here, football.london has a stab at predicting Pochettino's team for the opening day.
Kepa Arrizabalaga
Given Chelsea seem to be prioritising other positions there doesn't appear to be much going on in goal. Kepa had his best personal season in 2022/23 and has the ball skills making him a good option for Pochettino.
Although many will point towards his indifferent results across five years at SW6, only once has the club finished in the top four when he has been a first choice option, spending more on other players may well justify his position in the side.
Reece James
When fit he's one of the best in his position across the world. It's as simple as that and given Pochettino's reliance on full-backs as an attacking output, the Cobham graduate is surely going to be key to any success. He may also have a new role as the captain.
Wesley Fofana
Another player lacking fitness but when he was firing, Fofana showed why Chelsea spent lavishly to bring him in last year. In a back-three or back-four, the Frenchman is sure to be central to plans.
Levi Colwill
Competition for the left centre-back spot is strong. Thiago Silva is around, Benoit Badiashile has shown great signs of promise but he is injured currently and Colwill is fancied as one of the stars of the future. As a left-footed academy graduate there is all the reason in the world to trust him from the off and not to give in to transfer pressure.
Ben Chilwell
Injuries permitting, a constant worry in this backline, Chilwell is first choice and nothing short of vital. As another that can operate as an attacking full-back and wing-back, the 26-year-old is a shoe-in for all matches when available.
Moises Caicedo
The first new signing of the side, Chelsea are still looking to add their technically astute anchor and attention remains in Caicedo. He is certainly seen as the most likely adddition at this stage and is the perfect choice to work next to his new partner in a dominating duo.
Enzo Fernandez
Fernandez playing next to Caicedo offers a mixture of energy and control both in and out of possession that Chelsea have lacked from midfield pivots in recent times. They have the blend of skills to sit in front of defence and take the game forward at the same time. He's simply undroppable for all managers right now.
Christopher Nkunku
New signing number two and this is where it gets exciting. One of the most entertaining and output efficient players in the world, Nkunku can play across the frontline and also as a central forward himself when needed. In this 4-2-3-1 shape we have him on the right to accomodate for more fresh blood.
Ideally he might be behind the striker but for a player as good as Nkunku it really may not matter.
Paulo Dybala
Another Argentine to make the most of the new South American connection, Dybala has been a player admired by Pochettino for years and came close to signing for his Tottenham side in 2019. Acting as the shadow striker here, football.london has him coming in from Roma.
Raheem Sterling
A tight one on the left, Mykhailo Mudryk is perhaps the rogue, maverick option but Sterling is a player that Pochettino is sure to admire and in a changing attack, keeping some source of stability will help Chelsea, here.
Nicolas Jackson
We would love for this to be Victor Osimhen, Harry Kane or Rasmus Hojlund. It may yet be Dusan Vlahovic or another outsider but for now, Chelsea have signed Nicolas Jackson and we'll give him the benefit of the doubt. With such creativity around him, there's plenty to feed off.
Dream Chelsea XI average age: 24.1
