Chelsea may be forced to offload a host of players in the forthcoming summer in order to fall in line with Financial Fair Play rules.
The West London-based side have spent a whopping 1 billion pounds on transfers since new owner Todd Boehly's takeover in 2022.
Despite spending such a huge amount, the Blues have found it difficult to get the results they desired. Their recent on-field setback was against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday, February 25.
However, Mauricio Pochettino's side currently sits in the bottom half of the Premier League table which prompted former Man United player turned pundit Gary Neville to tag them "blue billion-pound bottle jobs".
Meanwhile, the Premier League income and sustainability rules have started to take effect this season, with Everton having initially suffered a ten-point deduction before being reduced to six points earlier this week.
Therefore, to avoid being punished like the Toffees, the Blues may be forced to let go of several stars including crucial first-team players.
According to football insiders, Chelsea Premier League opponents speculate that the West Londoners may have to desperately trade players before the June 30 deadline to raise 100 million pounds.
This date falls mid-way through Euro 2024 and Copa America, which could lead to a confused early summer window at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues insiders feel uncomfortable about the condition, stressing that big deals will only be required before the club can sign more young talented players.
But Chelsea's rivals feel that their resolve will surely be tested.
The West Londoners' distress will soon be reduced by the 28 million pounds Newcastle United owed them for Lewis Hall, with the Toon having an obligation to buy the youngster after the completion of his season-long loan deal.
Below is the list of several star players that Chelsea may be forced to sell, according to The Sun.
Romelu Lukaku
The former Everton forward agreed to a £37 million release clause when he penned a new deal ahead of joining Roma on loan last summer.
With the 30-year-old Belgium International having bagged 16 goals so far this season, the Blues will be looking forward to receiving an amount of £30 million for the striker they paid £99.5 million to bring back to the club in the summer of 2021.
Ian Maatsen
The Netherlands International was allowed to join Borussia Dortmund on loan in January, having started just once in the Premier League during the first half of the season.
Chelsea will hope to collect £35 million for the 21-year-old due to his release clause, should he leave on a permanent deal this summer.
Reece James
The English player may be forced to leave Chelsea this summer for a bumper fee, particularly given his injury crises.
Should he become available, Manchester City would likely show an interest, as they hunt a long-term replacement for Kyle Walker.
Conor Gallagher.
The academy product has attracted interest from Tottenham during the last two transfer windows.
The midfielder is comfortable at Stamford Bridge but is not close to signing a new deal, with his current deal set to expire in under 18 months.
Trevoh Chalobah
The England International, who has returned to fitness in recent weeks, could represent another homegrown sale and has been the subject of interest from Nottingham Forest and Bayern Munich.
Armando Broja
The former Southampton star played 19 times for the Blues this season before joining Fulham on loan in January.
Should he play well for the Cottagers, Broja could earn Chelsea another sizeable income at the end of the season.
Marc Cucurella
The Spaniard has been arguably Chelsea's biggest flop, having arrived from Brighton & Hove Albion in a mouthwatering £62 million contract in the summer of 2022.
He has never found his form at Stamford Bridge, and the Blues may try to cut their losses this summer.
Kepa Arrizabalaga
Finally, Chelsea will try to find a permanent buyer for the former Atletico Madrid goalkeeper flop.
The 29-year-old Spanish International surprisingly joined Real Madrid on loan last summer.
He has since been struggling at the Santiago Bernabeu, with Thibaut Courtois returning from an ACL injury, Kepa is doubtful to secure a permanent move to Real Madrid.
The 13-cap goalkeeper, who cost the Blues a staggering £72 million in the summer of 2018, will still have a year remaining on his contract at the end of the season.
What's next for Chelsea?
It remains to be seen how fast the Blues will sell the aforementioned players during the forthcoming summer transfer window.
In addition, the West London team led by Mauricio Pochettino will be seen next in action in the FA Cup fifth round when they battle Leeds United on Wednesday, February 28, at 8:30 WAT.
The West London-based side have spent a whopping 1 billion pounds on transfers since new owner Todd Boehly's takeover in 2022.
Despite spending such a huge amount, the Blues have found it difficult to get the results they desired. Their recent on-field setback was against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday, February 25.
However, Mauricio Pochettino's side currently sits in the bottom half of the Premier League table which prompted former Man United player turned pundit Gary Neville to tag them "blue billion-pound bottle jobs".
Meanwhile, the Premier League income and sustainability rules have started to take effect this season, with Everton having initially suffered a ten-point deduction before being reduced to six points earlier this week.
Therefore, to avoid being punished like the Toffees, the Blues may be forced to let go of several stars including crucial first-team players.
According to football insiders, Chelsea Premier League opponents speculate that the West Londoners may have to desperately trade players before the June 30 deadline to raise 100 million pounds.
This date falls mid-way through Euro 2024 and Copa America, which could lead to a confused early summer window at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues insiders feel uncomfortable about the condition, stressing that big deals will only be required before the club can sign more young talented players.
But Chelsea's rivals feel that their resolve will surely be tested.
The West Londoners' distress will soon be reduced by the 28 million pounds Newcastle United owed them for Lewis Hall, with the Toon having an obligation to buy the youngster after the completion of his season-long loan deal.
Below is the list of several star players that Chelsea may be forced to sell, according to The Sun.
Romelu Lukaku
The former Everton forward agreed to a £37 million release clause when he penned a new deal ahead of joining Roma on loan last summer.
With the 30-year-old Belgium International having bagged 16 goals so far this season, the Blues will be looking forward to receiving an amount of £30 million for the striker they paid £99.5 million to bring back to the club in the summer of 2021.
Ian Maatsen
The Netherlands International was allowed to join Borussia Dortmund on loan in January, having started just once in the Premier League during the first half of the season.
Chelsea will hope to collect £35 million for the 21-year-old due to his release clause, should he leave on a permanent deal this summer.
Reece James
The English player may be forced to leave Chelsea this summer for a bumper fee, particularly given his injury crises.
Should he become available, Manchester City would likely show an interest, as they hunt a long-term replacement for Kyle Walker.
Conor Gallagher.
The academy product has attracted interest from Tottenham during the last two transfer windows.
The midfielder is comfortable at Stamford Bridge but is not close to signing a new deal, with his current deal set to expire in under 18 months.
Trevoh Chalobah
The England International, who has returned to fitness in recent weeks, could represent another homegrown sale and has been the subject of interest from Nottingham Forest and Bayern Munich.
Armando Broja
The former Southampton star played 19 times for the Blues this season before joining Fulham on loan in January.
Should he play well for the Cottagers, Broja could earn Chelsea another sizeable income at the end of the season.
Marc Cucurella
The Spaniard has been arguably Chelsea's biggest flop, having arrived from Brighton & Hove Albion in a mouthwatering £62 million contract in the summer of 2022.
He has never found his form at Stamford Bridge, and the Blues may try to cut their losses this summer.
Kepa Arrizabalaga
Finally, Chelsea will try to find a permanent buyer for the former Atletico Madrid goalkeeper flop.
The 29-year-old Spanish International surprisingly joined Real Madrid on loan last summer.
He has since been struggling at the Santiago Bernabeu, with Thibaut Courtois returning from an ACL injury, Kepa is doubtful to secure a permanent move to Real Madrid.
The 13-cap goalkeeper, who cost the Blues a staggering £72 million in the summer of 2018, will still have a year remaining on his contract at the end of the season.
What's next for Chelsea?
It remains to be seen how fast the Blues will sell the aforementioned players during the forthcoming summer transfer window.
In addition, the West London team led by Mauricio Pochettino will be seen next in action in the FA Cup fifth round when they battle Leeds United on Wednesday, February 28, at 8:30 WAT.