The cut and thrust of the transfer window is well underway for Chelsea and there will be few teams who have been as active as the Blues so far this summer. Tuesday saw David Datro Fofana move on loan to Union Berlin and Nicolas Jackson arrive for his first training session with the team to ensure the club's business has continued into July.
There has been no shortage of players to have departed Stamford Bridge, while Jackson and Christopher Nkunku have been added to the senior squad, Diego Moreira has also been added onto the first team ranks on the club's website. More players need to leave and more need to arrive, however, to shape the Blues' squad efficiently.
It was clear that the club had a plan coming into the window, and while new boss Mauricio Pochettino has enjoyed conversations with many Chelsea players, sporting directors, Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart have instigated the direction Chelsea have started in, with a number of clear priorities. The Blues also clearly have work to do however.
Pochettino explained his stance, saying: "For me, it is clear, it is most important to finish the squad, to have a very balanced squad. I think the club, in the plan was to reduce the number of players. That for me was the most important, to find the right profiles, the players we are going to add and of course, to try to create a group dynamic first in the training session and ground and try to work really well."
Chelsea's next moves will come at a crucial time, as the Blues welcome back their internationals and the numbers start to build before a squad is formed for the pre-season tour of the USA. Crucially at this stage, a number of players already don't have a future with the likes of Romelu Lukaku and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang not expected back this week, while Hakim Ziyech has already seen a move fall through.
READ MORE: New signings involved, youngsters' chance - Mauricio Pochettino oversees Chelsea training
Christian Pulisic appears set to be Chelsea's next completed transfer, as a medical at AC Milan awaits rather than a return to Cobham. In many ways it appears a decision made before Pochettino's arrival given the deals to bring Noni Madueke and Mykhailo Mudryk to the club earlier in the year and Pulisic's desire for a move a year ago. As a result, it will both cut down on Chelsea's numbers and also provide some balance to the squad's attack, regardless of the quality Pulisic may hold.
Clearly, with decisions made in relation to Lukaku and Aubameyang, it reinforces Pochettino's desire to create a group dynamic geared towards next term. Sealing more transfers quickly will only help that.
Which of the following prospects would you like to see in the first team, or loaned out for experience? Swipe to have your say...
