Projected Chelsea Squad for 26/27 as of July 22

The World Cup has been and gone and with it comes a renewed focus on club football as some teams gear up for their opening round of friendlies. The Blues themselves are in action on July 28 when they take on Western Sydney Wanderers and before that, it seemed like a good time to look ahead at the projected Chelsea squad for 2026/27 based on new transfers and recent rumours.

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Current Projected Chelsea Squad for 2026/27 Premier League Campaign

Goalkeeper

All is quiet in this department. There is almost certainly going to be some movement as Mike Penders, Filip Jorgensen, and Rob Sanchez will all want to play but there just aren’t enough minutes to go around. As of now though, they are the three main goalkeeping options and would be the three registered for the squad.

Goalkeepers: Rob Sanchez, Mike Penders, Filip Jorgensen

Defenders

There was at one point a lot of talk around the back line but things have settled since the arrival of Marco Palestra. The main reports continue to indicate that Trevoh Chalobah’s future is in Italy with Como in talks to secure his signing

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A report from the Athletic confirms that the clubs aim is for both Benoit Badiashile and Axel Disasi to depart with Mamadou Sarr leaving on line to trim down the options.

The main incoming linked currently is Maxence Lacroix who the team have been chasing since before the World Cup exit. There are bids and talks ongoing for the Crystal Palace man.

Defenders: Jorrel Hato, Levi Colwill, Maxence Lacroix, Wes Fofana, Josh Acheampong, Reece James, Marco Palestra, Tosin Adarabioyo, Valentin Barco (has played wing-back)

Midfield

Valentin Barco has been given the Here We Go treatment for some time but the Argentine is yet to be officially announced as joining the Blues. He was part of the Argentina squad at the World Cup so won’t report back for a few weeks anyway.

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Andrey Santos has officially left for Manchester United since our last projected squad update leaving the options as Moises Caicedo, Romeo Lavia, and Dario Essugo from the end of last season with Enzo Fernandez potentially moving back to partner Caicedo again after Real Madrid’s statement that they aren’t interested in the former Benfica man.

Midfield: Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez, Romeo Lavia, Valentin Barco, Reece James (emergency option)

Attackers

With the signing of Morgan Rogers made official the Blues now have a crowded attack with the new incoming having to fit in with the likes of Joao Pedro, Nicolas Jackson, Estevao, Liam Delap, Pedro Neto, Cole Palmer, and other newcomers Geovany Quenda and Emmanuel Emegha as well as a returning from injury Jamie Gittens.

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If the team do play a 3-4-2-1 as some have theorised, then this leaves too many players for too few spots and outgoings would have to be facilitated. Aston Villa’s interest in Alejandro Garnacho could already prove helpful to shedding one of the attacking spots but there will be decisions to make on many of those named above and even some not named like the aimless Marc Guiu.

Attackers: Joao Pedro, Nicolas Jackson, Emmanuel Emegha, Cole Palmer, Pedro Neto, Geovany Quenda, Estevao, Morgan Rogers, Jamie Gittens

Projected Chelsea Squad as of July 22

1. Rob Sanchez
2. Mike Penders
3. Filip Jorgensen
4. Jorrel Hato
5. Levi Colwill
6. Maxence Lacroix
7. Wes Fofana
8. Josh Acheampong
9. Reece James
10. Marco Palestra
11. Tosin Adarabioyo
12. Valentin Barco
13. Moises Caicedo
14. Romeo Lavia
15. Dario Essugo
16. Enzo Fernandez
17. Nicolas Jackson
18. Joao Pedro
19. Emmanuel Emegha
20. Cole Palmer
21. Geovany Quenda
22. Pedro Neto
23. Estevao
24. Morgan Rogers
25. Jamie Gittens

Featured Image Credit

IMAGO / Pro Sports Images