Chelsea expiring contracts: Who is free to leave next summer and in 2026?

Chelsea co-owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital have made a habit of handing long-term contracts to as many players as possible since their arrival in 2022.

However, there have been squad members who have not been presented with extended deals, some more surprising than not.

Here, Sports Mole takes a look at the players whose contracts either expire in 2025 or 2026.

Which Chelsea players are out of contract next summer?

Conor Gallagher

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Age: 24
Position: Midfielder
Transfer value: £42.5m
Joined: 2019
Joining fee: Academy graduate
Chelsea appearances: 95
Chelsea goals: 10

Honours

Conor Gallagher has just completed his second full season in the Chelsea senior ranks, playing a starring role in central midfield and earning praise from the club's supporters.

However, despite the impact that he has made both on and off the pitch, Boehly and co are currently reluctant to hand the England international a new contract, instead wanting to try to cash in on his signature to boost Chelsea's position with the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules.

Malang Sarr

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Age: 25
Position: Centre-back
Transfer value: £3.4m
Joined: August 27, 2020
Joining fee: Free
Chelsea appearances: 21
Chelsea goals: 0

Honours

The situation concerning Malang Sarr is somewhat bizarre. The Frenchman played an important squad role under Thomas Tuchel during 2021-22, yet has not played for Chelsea since.

Sarr returned from a loan spell at Monaco ahead of 2023-24, but there have been no sightings of the defender in almost a year. Departing by mutual consent over the coming months is a distinct possibility.

Kepa Arrizabalaga

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Age: 29
Position: Goalkeeper
Transfer value: £10.2m
Joined: August 8, 2018
Joining fee: £71.6m
Chelsea appearances: 163
Chelsea clean sheets: 59

Honours

Kepa Arrizabalaga had hoped that a season-long loan switch to Real Madrid would ultimately lead to a permanent switch to the Bernabeu.

However, losing his place midway through the season has led to the Spain international returning to his parent club with Chelsea ready to cash in on his signature as soon as possible.

Which Chelsea players are out of contract in 2026?

Romelu Lukaku

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Age: 31
Position: Forward
Transfer value: £25.5m
Joined: 2021
Joining fee: £97.5
Chelsea appearances: 44
Chelsea goals: 15

Honours

Romelu Lukaku's Chelsea career has been over for some time, yet the Blues have been unable to find a buyer for the Belgium international.

With two years left on his contract, Chelsea are desperate to sell, yet it remains to be seen whether the former Inter Milan and Roma loanee will attract a suitable bid.

Alfie Gilchrist

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Age: 20
Position: Defender
Transfer value: £4.25m
Joined: 2014
Joining fee: Academy graduate
Chelsea appearances: 17
Chelsea goals: 1

Honours

No silverware won.

Up until December, Alfie Gilchrist had not made a single appearance as a professional, yet the academy graduate would prove to be a valuable squad member during the second half of the campaign.

Although Chelsea officials have agreed a new contract with the versatile defender, a loan move is expected to be put in place for the 20-year-old.

Marcus Bettinelli

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Age: 32
Position: Goalkeeper
Transfer value: £850,000
Joined: 20121
Joining fee: Free
Chelsea appearances: 1
Chelsea clean sheets: 0

Honours

Marcus Bettinelli has spent the last three years as the perfect clubman at Chelsea, acting as third-choice goalkeeper with minimal fuss.

The 31-year-old may, at some stage, want first-team football elsewhere, but for now, another campaign in his current role appears to be more likely than not.