With the season just ending and a disappointing mid-table finish on the mind, many fans are already looking to a better future. This projected Chelsea squad for the 2026/27 term will look at who might get shifted, who is coming in, and what impact the lack of European football could have on the size of the squad.
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Current Projected Chelsea Squad for 2026/27
Goalkeepers
There aren’t any credible rumours of any exits which means Rob Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen are currently expected to remain with the team. With the third option rotating from Gaga Slonina to Teddy Sharman-Lowe, there could be a new face on the bench.
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Mike Penders has completed his latest loan with Strasbourg where the 20-year-old was a regular starter. The Belgian is likely to stick around as one of the main three goalkeeping options unless a loan opportunity arises.
Goalkeepers: Rob Sanchez, Filip Jorgensen, Mike Penders
Defenders
This is one area of the field that will need to slim down, now that the Blues are out of European football they’ll only be looking at roughly 45 fixtures between the cups and Premier League.
Those who featured towards the end of the term Levi Colwill, Malo Gusto, Jorrel Hato, Reece James, Trevoh Chalobah, Wes Fofana, and potentially Josh Acheampong, could all be kept.
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On the left, Marc Cucurella has been the starting full-back option but reports from Spain indicate that the Spanish international could be on his way home this summer with Atletico Madrid interested.
Defenders: Jorrel Hato, Levi Colwill, Trevoh Chalobah, Wes Fofana, Malo Gusto, Josh Acheampong, Reece James, Valentin Barco (started out as a left-back)
Midfielders
Moises Caicedo partnered a few people in the pivot with Andrey Santos coming in or Romeo Lavia depending on the opponent. Dario Essugo didn’t play much and could be shipped out.
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Enzo Fernandez was utilised as the number ten at the helm of the midfield, the Argentine is rumoured to be on the move so he could be dropped in favour of Strasbourg’s Valentin Barco who is adaptable enough to play in midfield or the wide defence.
Midfielders: Moises Caicedo, Andrey Santos, Romeo Lavia, Valentin Barco, Reece James (emergency option)
Attackers
The one area that may not need an overhaul, the attacking options were made light by injuries so the campaign ended with Cole Palmer, Pedro Neto, Joao Pedro, Liam Delap, and Alejandro Garnacho as the main winger, attacker options.
The injured Estevao and Jamie Gittens may find it difficult to get minutes with a smaller schedule so there might be a decision made about one or both. Neto could help this process as he is reportedly fielding interest from Saudi Arabia and could exit due to a lack of Champions League football.
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On the incoming side Nicolas Jackson is returning from a loan at Bayern Munich while Emmanuel Emegha has a pre-agreement to join from Strasbourg. Winger Geovany Quena also has a pre-agreement and will be added this summer. That leaves Chelsea with four striker options which will cause a decision to be made on at least one player’s future.
Attackers: Cole Palmer, Estevao, Joao Pedro, Alejandro Garnacho, Geovany Quenda, Nicolas Jackson, Emmanuel Emegha.
Projected Chelsea Squad as of May 26
- Rob Sanchez
- Filip Jorgensen
- Mike Penders
- Jorrel Hato
- Levi Colwill
- Wes Fofana
- Malo Gusto
- Josh Acheampong
- Reece James
- Moises Caicedo
- Andrey Santos
- Romeo Lavia
- Valentin Barco
- Cole Palmer
- Estevao
- Joao Pedro
- Alejandro Garnacho
- Geovany Quenda
- Nicolas Jackson
- Emmanuel Emegha
Featured Image Credit
IMAGO / Visionhau
