The £321m 11-a-side team Chelsea could make from their exiled ‘bomb squad’

Raheem Sterling and Ben Chilwell face uncertain futures at Chelsea (Picture: Getty)

Enzo Maresca was keen to stress that his current situation at Chelsea is not a ‘mess’, but the 13 senior players training away from the first-team squad may beg to differ.

After another summer of splurging from co-owner Todd Boehly which saw ten new arrivals at Stamford Bridge, the Blues’ new manager finds himself with an unmanageable amount of players to try and maintain a functioning squad.

In trying to address the situation, the Italian has removed 13 players – including high-profile stars Raheem Sterling and Ben Chilwell – from first-team training, forcing them to train separately under the stewardship of loan technical coach and former Blues keeper Carlo Cudicini.

Many of these unwanted players, collectively now referred to as the ‘bomb squad’, are expected to leave before the end of the window but, at present, could make up a rather convincing and costly 11-a-side reserve team. Let’s take a look…

Goalkeeper – Kepa Arrizabalaga 

Kepa remains the world’s most expensive goalkeeper (Picture: Getty)

Kepa Arrizabalaga remains the world’s most expensive goalkeeper but has no future at Chelsea after failing to impress since joining in 2018.

The Spaniard spent last season on loan at Real Madrid but the reigning La Liga champions appear unwilling to sign the 29-year-old permanently after his loan expired.

Left centre-back – Ben Chilwell

Playing a bit more centrally than he would perhaps like in this makeshift 11, Ben Chilwell looks set to leave the club this window, with Maresca conceding the Englishman will struggle to get minutes ahead of his preferred full-back Marc Cucurella.

Manchester United are said to be one of the favourites for his signature.

Centre-back – Axel Disasi

While not officially in the exiled ‘bomb squad’, reports suggest that Axel Disasi has been told he is not in Maresca’s immediate plans for this season, meaning he can now provide some much-needed defensive cover for this exiled lineup.

Signed from Monaco last summer for £38m, the defender has reportedly attracted interest from Newcastle United who are looking at alternatives having, thus far, failed to secure a deal for Marc Guehi.

Right centre-back – Trevor Chalobah

Trevor Chalobah has attracted interest this window (Picture: Getty)

Trevor Chalobah was one of the earliest casualties of Enzo Maresca’s tenure, banished from first-team training back in early August having been with the club since age eight.

The centre-back attracted interest from Bayern Munich last season and Chelsea are believed to be holding out for a fee of around £25m for the 25-year-old.

Left midfield – Raheem Sterling

Having been left out of Chelsea’s matchday squad for their Premier League opener against Manchester City, Raheem Sterling released a public statement seeking ‘clarity’ over his future.

That clarity now appears to have come, with Maresca informing the Englishman he prefers a different style of winger and leaving Sterling in the lurch as he now tries to force a permanent move away before the end of the window.

Central midfield – Alex Matos

Having signed last summer on a free transfer from Norwich City, Alex Matos made his Premier League against Fulham in October but failed to make another league appearance that season.

The 19-year-old is more of an advanced midfielder but will have to play a somewhat deeper role in this ‘bomb squad’ side.

Central midfield – Tino Anjorin

Holding down the fort at the base of midfield is Tino Anjorin who spent last season on loan at Portsmouth in League One.

The academy product has also had loans at Huddersfield Town and Lokomotiv Moscow and could be set for another loan this season.

Central midfield – Harvey Vale

Harvey Vale could be set for another loan away from the club (Picture: Getty)

Like the aforementioned Matos, Harvey Vale is slightly more attacking-minded but slots in deeper as the third cog in a youthful midfield three for this exiled side.

Another academy prospect, the 20-year-old spent last season on loan at Bristol Rovers.

Right midfield – Angelo Gabriel

Signed for £13m from Brazilian side Santos last summer, Angelo Gabriel is yet to play a competitive match for Chelsea and spent last season on loan at Strasbourg.

And after the summer signing of Pedro Neto, Angelo looks set to leave the club, with Chelsea preferring a permanent deal rather than another loan.

Striker – Romelu Lukaku

Romelu Lukaku is closing in on a move to Napoli (Picture: Getty)

After a disastrous stint back at the club, Lukaku now looks set to join Napoli to bring to a close his sorry second chapter at Stamford Bridge.

The Belgian scored just eight goals back at Chelsea and has been out on loan at Inter Milan and Roma in the past two seasons.

Striker – Armando Broja

Having endured an unproductive six-month loan at Fulham, Armando Broja looks set for another loan away from Chelsea at recently promoted Ipswich.

The Albanian striker could make the switch permanently for around £30m if Kieran McKenna’s side manage to avoid relegation.

Subs: Lucas Bergstrom, David Datro Fofana, Deivid Washington.

Chelsea’s 11-a-side team made up entirely of Enzo Maresca’s unwanted stars (Picture: Getty)

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