Chelsea made a rapid start to their summer business last time around, but the European champions are yet to make a big move during the current transfer window.
Chelsea academy products like Fikayo Tomori, Marc Guehi and Lewis Bate have left the club on permanent deals, while there is a chance that Tino Livramento might leave as well. The Blues have been linked with names like Erling Haaland and Declan Rice, and it remains to be seen what their plans are.
However, there could potentially be more outgoings first. Some big-names could exit the Stamford Bridge outfit soon, as Chelsea aim to build on their Champions League success from last season.
5 Players who could depart Chelsea ahead of the 2021-22 season
#5 Hakim Ziyech
Much was expected from Hakim Ziyech after he joined Chelsea from Ajax last summer for £36 million.
A highly creative forward, Ziyech excelled at Ajax and played a key role during their 2018-19 season, in which the Eredivisie giants reached the Champions League semi-finals. The 28-year old, however, did not enjoy the best of seasons last time around.
Ziyech made just 15 Premier League starts, scoring two goals and providing three assists. He was a squad player as Chelsea won the Champions League and it is not surprising to see the Morocco international linked with a move away. AC Milan, Atletico Madrid and Lyon have been suggested as possible destinations.
#4 Emerson Palmieri
A highly-rated left-back during his stint in Serie A, Emerson Palmieri has barely featured for Chelsea since joining the club from Roma in January 2018 for £18 million.
Marcos Alonso and Ben Chilwell have been preferred ahead of him, and Emerson has found game-time hard to come by. The Italy international made just two substitute appearances in the Premier League last season and for a period of time it looked like he would miss out on Italy's squad to the Euros.
Emerson has made just 70 appearances in all competitions since joining Chelsea, and the 26-year old should try to leave the club this summer. Napoli have been linked as a potential destination for the left-back.
#3 Kepa Arrizabalaga
Few people would have predicted Kepa Arrizabalaga's Chelsea move to be such a disaster.
The Spain international became the most expensive goalkeeper in world football when Chelsea paid Athletic Bilbao £72 million in 2018. Signed as a replacement for the Real Madrid-bound Thibaut Courtois, it would be fair to say that Kepa has not enjoyed his time in the Premier League.
Consistent high-profile errors were not well received by Chelsea fans, and the board decided to sign Edouard Mendy last summer for nearly £22 million. Mendy is now the preferred goalkeeper for manager Thomas Tuchel. Kepa made just six Premier League starts last season and this deal has to go down as one of the worst in the history of the Premier League.
#2 Callum Hudson-Odoi
Callum Hudson-Odoi's talent has never been under question, but one has to wonder whether he will ever fulfill his potential at Chelsea.
Heavily pursued by Bayern Munich a few seasons ago, Hudson-Odoi decided to stay at Chelsea and penned a new deal in 2019. However, the England international has not cemented his place in the first XI, and remains a squad player.
A winger by trade, Hudson-Odoi has operated as a wing-back under Thomas Tuchel's management. The 20-year old did not sufficiently impress the German manager to nail down a starting spot during the second half of the season, and Bayern Munich have once again been linked.
#1 Tammy Abraham
Thomas Tuchel's treatment of Tammy Abraham has been surprising, to say the least.
A product of the Chelsea academy, Abraham enjoyed a good 2019-20 season with the club and was expected to build on that. Last season, though, Abraham barely featured under the management of Tuchel, who often left the striker out of the entire matchday squad.
The 23-year old made just 12 Premier League starts last season, scoring six goals and providing one assist. Chelsea are reportedly happy to let go of the striker, and Arsenal, Manchester United and West Ham United are all said to be interested in signing the England international.
Also Read: Ranking the 5 best Chelsea players in the last decade