Chelsea 'dumps' 15 players: The king of making money

Chelsea have just said goodbye to Joao Felix, Kepa, Petrovic, Madueke… and earned more than 150 million euros. It is expected that 15 other names will leave Stamford Bridge.

High revenue

If the appointment of Enzo Maresca last season caused a seismic shift at Chelsea , with numerous players being pushed out of the squad, the summer of 2025 is unfolding in a not-so-different manner.

In order to continue spending heavily – a policy maintained since Todd Boehly took over in 2022 with over €1.6 billion invested – Chelsea are forced to sell.

Chelsea bought Madueke for €35 million and sold him to Arsenal for €56 million. Photo: X/@Arsenal

The practice of selling players for high prices is one of the reasons they meet the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Regulations, although many remain skeptical.

It's true that Chelsea have signed over 50 players in the last seven transfer windows (and that number is still rising), but they are also very good at selling players who are no longer a good fit or who receive attractive offers.

The case of Kai Havertz leaving Chelsea for Arsenal for €75 million is a prime example.

In the 2023/24 season, The Blues earned over 280 million euros from player sales . The recently concluded 2024/25 season brought in another 239 million euros. This summer, things are continuing to go smoothly.

To date, players like Kepa (to Arsenal), Djordje Petrovic (Bournemouth), Madueke (Arsenal), and Joao Felix (Al Nassr) have helped the team earn 120.7 million euros.

In addition, there were less well-known transfers such as Bashir Humphreys (to Burnley for €14 million) or Mathis Amougou (Strasbourg; € 4.5 million).

In total, Chelsea earned €156.1 million (excluding future add-ons) , and this figure is expected to increase. Last season, player sales revenue was €239 million, while the 2023/24 season is projected to reach €282.2 million.

In the summer of 2025, only Bayer Leverkusen earned more (205.5 million euros) after selling their most important players.

Purge the workforce.

If there's one area Chelsea needs a thorough overhaul, it's their attack. With new signing Jamie Bynoe-Gittens and several players not called up for the FIFA Club World Cup in the US despite having contracts, Enzo Maresca now has… 17 forwards at his disposal!

Among them, names like Christopher Nkunku, Raheem Sterling, and Armando Broja (who is set to move to Burnley) have all been placed on the transfer list.

Nkunku is among the players leaving Stamford Bridge. Photo: Imago

Liam Delap and Joao Pedro – two new signings – both impressed at the Club World Cup and have promising futures.

Pedro Neto is a key player, while new signing Estevao is also likely to find a place at Stamford Bridge.

Meanwhile, Marc Guiu has agreed to move to Sunderland on loan as he no longer has a place in the team.

Nicolas Jackson – who was the official number 9 in Enzo Maresca 's first season – has now lost his place after two costly red cards and has been pushed out of the tactical rotation. Chelsea are putting him up for sale.

For Sterling, David Datro Fofana, and David Washington – who are no longer in the plans – their departure from Chelsea is only a matter of time.

These players had to leave so Chelsea could sign Xavi Simons and Alejandro Garnacho.

Massive "clearance sale"

In addition, the remaining positions are also set to see significant changes. In defense, Marcus Bettinelli (to Man City) and Lucas Bergstrom (Mallorca) have left, and Gaga Slonina is also preparing to follow suit.

Players like Axel Disasi, Benoit Badiashile, Caleb Wiley, and Ben Chilwell no longer have a future at the club.

Recently, Chelsea also reached an agreement on a 7-year contract with Jorrel Hato (Ajax) to strengthen their central defense.

Renato Veiga – who previously played for Juventus on loan – is valued at €40 million and could move to Atletico Madrid . Mamadou Sarr or Aaron Anselmino could also be loaned out due to overwork.

Chelsea have had outstanding player sales revenue in recent years. Photo: CFC

Meanwhile, new signings like Andrey Santos and Dario Essugo are likely to stay on as rotation options for Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez.

However, Chukwuemeka, Lesley Ugochukwu, and Dewsbury-Hall are likely to leave the team.

Chelsea had over 40 players at their disposal before the start of the pre-season, but 15 of them could no longer be at the Cobham training ground when the 2025/26 Premier League season begins.

This not only allowed Enzo Maresca to build the team exactly as he wanted, but also brought in a large revenue stream for the club.

Despite some difficult cases like Mykhailo Mudryk, Todd Boehly's massive investment is beginning to show results, from victories on the field with two recent international titles, to revenue.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/chelsea-chuyen-nhuong-15-cau-thu-ong-vua-kiem-tien-2428192.html