For Chelsea the priority job in the summer transfer window has to be completing a mass squad overhaul and early steps are certainly being taken to complete that task.
Mason Mount, Mateo Kovacic, N'Golo Kante, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Christian Pulisic are just a few names to have had significant transfer interest, with it wholly possible all five depart. Despite all being senior members of the squad, injuries, form, the need for a mass overhaul and an FFP deadline makes it rather paramount that sales are sanctioned.
With regard to Premier League interest, Mount and Kovacic, if sold, look set to remain in the Premier League with the latter in talks to sign for Manchester City. Mount meanwhile, has interest from Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United with Erik ten Hag's side planning to table a £50million offer, although an immediate rebuff is likely with it falling way under Chelsea's valuation.
Loftus-Cheek is closing in on a move to AC Milan after football.london reported in April that the Serie A side had made contact with Chelsea over a potential summer move. Juventus are interested in Pulisic following the end-of-season departure of Angel Di Maria with it also possible he remains in England.
The latest news regarding a Chelsea exit arrives with Kante who looks set to snub a new contract and sign for Saudi Arabian outfit Al Ittihad after completing his medical on Wednesday in London. A two-year deal will see the 32-year-old earn €100million (£86m) in each season with the option for a further year included in his deal.
Minus Pulisic, the other four stars are all midfielders which means recruiting in that position will be crucial if Loftus-Cheek, Mount, Kovacic and Kante all depart. Midfielders left at the club if that scenario comes true would be Enzo Fernandez, Conor Gallagher, Carney Chukwuemeka and Lewis Hall along with Andrey Santos and Cesare Casadei also to return from their respective loan spells.
This clearly highlights the need for at least two senior midfield additions but it also proves keeping Gallagher is crucial. Following his first full season in blue after a successful loan at Crystal Palace, it's fair to say Gallagher has fallen short of expectations, but under Pochettino he could prove to be a highly important figure, especially with his pressing ability.
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However, according to journalist Simon Phillips on Si & Dan Talk Chelsea, Gallagher is yet to hear from the club or Pochettino regarding next season. Gallagher was the recipient of a £40million bid from Everton in the January transfer window, but it was not accepted, however a summer sale if a similar offer arrives is certainly a possibility.
There is no immediate need to sell Gallagher though with his contract up in 2025 and talks over an extension therefore likely to start in the coming months. The Englishman may end up departing Stamford Bridge but allowing him to do so in this transfer window would be a shocking decision.
In a period where Chelsea are likely to lose a large part of the core group from the past few years, keeping some level of continuity is important. As has been highlighted in the last 12 months, just uprooting the very foundations of a football club both on and off the pitch is completely counter-productive.
Rebuilds will of course see significant change take place but it is important those changes are gradual. If as many as five midfielders do end up leaving the club, keeping Gallagher should be seen as a priority; firstly because if any misfiring Blues player is going to succeed under Pochettino it is likely to be him and secondly because mass transfers both in and out has already shown to not be the best recruitment strategy.
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