Inside Chelsea’s 13-man bomb squad as £258m worth of stars train with club legend on unused academy pitches
CHELSEA currently have a 13-man bomb squad training with club legend Carlo Cudicini on unused academy pitches.
The team of misfits features several record signings and is worth a combined £258million.
A 13-man Chelsea bomb squad is training separately under the eye of club legend Carlo CudiciniGetty Images – Getty
GettyRaheem Sterling is the latest victim of Enzo Maresca’s clear-out[/caption]
GettyBen Chilwell has been told he has no future at Stamford Bridge[/caption]
Romelu Lukaku’s £98m transfer was once a club recordPA
And that figure will grow even higher once Raheem Sterling returns to Cobham following his brutal axe.
Enzo Maresca is taking no prisoners with his new-look side this season.
The Italian has been tasked with transforming Chelsea into a vibrant attacking outfit.
He’s so far overseen the arrival of exciting signings including Pedro Neto, Joao Felix and Filip Jorgensen.
But it also means a number of big names have fallen by the wayside ahead of next week’s transfer deadline, with Conor Gallagher completing a switch to Atletico Madrid.
And there are now 13 players who have been separated from the main senior group.
Sterling, Ben Chilwell, Romelu Lukaku and Kepa Arrizabalaga are the biggest names who have been shunted into a group overseen by loan manager Cudicini.
The former Blues goalkeeper, who won two Premier Leagues and two FA Cups in 216 games, has been tasked with keeping them fit ahead of potential transfer exits next week.
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And the quartet have been joined by youngsters Deivid Washington, Angelo, David Datro Fofana and Alex Matos.
The rest of the group is made up of unwanted academy graduates like Trevoh Chalobah, Armando Broja, Lucas Bergstrom, Tino Anjorin and Harvey Vale.
GettyKepa Arrizabalaga remains the most expensive goalie in history at £72m[/caption]
Chelsea are awaiting bids for Trevoh ChalobahGetty
Armando Broja looks set to join IpswichGetty
GettyDeivid Washington only joined Chelsea last summer[/caption]
GettyAngelo spent last season on loan at Strasbourg[/caption]
A major downside to being in the bomb squad is that players no longer have access to first-team facilities.
Outcasts are now training on whichever academy or women’s pitch is available at the time.
While they can only use indoor facilities belonging to the development team.
Sterling is so far the only member of the 13-man bomb squad who is yet to train under Cudicini.
He has been given several days off at home after he was told last Friday he no longer has a future at Stamford Bridge.
Sterling’s reps released a fiery statement minutes after Chelsea’s match-day squad against Man City was revealed on Sunday.
Chelsea’s 13-man bomb squad
Total cost: £308m
Romelu Lukaku: £98m
Kepa Arrizabalaga: £72m
Raheem Sterling: £50m
Ben Chilwell: £50m
Deivid Washington: £16m
Angelo: £12m
David Datro Fofana: £10m
Trevoh Chalobah: Free
Armando Broja: Free
Harvey Vale: Free
Alex Matos: Free
Lucas Bergstrom: Free
Tino Anjorin: Free
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Ilkay Gundogan is closing in on a stunning return to Manchester City.
Meanwhile, Raheem Sterling is set to leave Chelsea this summer as the winger is not a part of Enzo Maresca’s plans.
Elsewhere, Liverpool are reportedly closing in on the £29.9m signing of Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili.
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But Maresca doubled down on the winger’s future in yesterday’s press conference, saying: “If he wants to speak again, I will tell him exactly the same things that I already told him.”
In total, the current 12 players training with Cudicini cost a combined £258m.
And once £50m Sterling joins them to officially make it 13, that figure will rise to £308m.
Chelsea paid a former club-record £98m for flop striker Lukaku, who hopes to be reunited with Antonio Conte at Napoli.
While Kepa remains the world’s most expensive goalie at £72m, with teams in Saudi plotting late swoops.
£50m Chilwell also finds himself out in the cold after Maresca admitted there was no spot for him in Chelsea’s new tactical set-up.
The left-back has been offered to Manchester United but could attract offers from abroad.
Sterling is another who is being eyed by Europe’s elite, although his £350,000-a-week wages could prove to be a stumbling block.
And Chalobah is yet to receive offers despite being linked with numerous sides like Crystal Palace and Newcastle.
GettyDavid Datro Fofana has been linked with Leicester[/caption]
GettyTino Anjorin was once a top prospect for the Blues[/caption]
Harvey Vale is hoping for a switch before deadline dayGetty
Alex Matos looks set to leave ChelseaGetty
ReutersLucas Bergstrom has fallen down the pecking order[/caption]
