Transfer news expert Fabrizio Romano has pinpointed four players unlikely to feature for Chelsea in the 2024-25 season. Romano suggests that Romelu Lukaku, Hakim Ziyech, Armando Broja, and Ian Maatsen will be heading for the exit door in the upcoming summer transfer window.
Chelsea Will Offload At Least Four Loanees, Claims Fabrizio Romano
Premier League giants Chelsea boast one of Europe’s largest squads. Instead of immediately selling underperforming or discontented players, or those struggling to find a place in the team, Chelsea often opt to loan them out. This allows players to showcase their abilities and potentially increase their market value. If they impress during their loan spells, it enhances the likelihood of securing better offers for their services.
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Last summer, Lukaku was loaned to AS Roma and Ziyech to Galatasaray after Chelsea failed to secure permanent deals for them. In January, Broja joined Fulham and Maatsen moved to Borussia Dortmund, both in search of regular playing time. According to Romano, none of these players are currently part of Mauricio Pochettino’s plans, signaling their imminent departure when the transfer window reopens in the summer.
In his Daily Briefing column for CaughtOffside, Romano disclosed:
“We’re likely to see departures at Chelsea this summer, particularly with the players who are currently out on loan.
“As previously reported, the plan is for Armando Broja to be sold once he returns from his loan at Fulham, and Hakim Ziyech can already be considered to have played his last game for Chelsea. I also expect Romelu Lukaku and Ian Maatsen to leave Chelsea, but for the others, we have to wait and see what happens.”
How Have The Four Loanees Fared This Season
Lukaku, who arrived at Chelsea from Inter Milan for €113 million ($121.30 million) in August 2021, has enjoyed a decent spell at AS Roma. Featuring in 44 matches across all competitions, he has scored 20 goals and provided four assists.
Meanwhile, Ziyech, the right-winger signed by Chelsea for €40 million ($42.94 million) in 2020, has struggled with fitness concerns. He has appeared in only 21 games across various competitions, tallying eight goals and four assists.
Academy graduate Maatsen has impressed at Dortmund, contributing two goals and two assists in 20 appearances across competitions. He is expected to feature in Dortmund’s Champions League final against Real Madrid at Wembley Stadium on June 1. On the other hand, Broja has had limited opportunities at Fulham, providing just one assist in seven Premier League outings.