Chelsea 'ready to oversee six exits before deadline'

Chelsea are reportedly willing to part ways with as many as six players before the end of the summer transfer window.

On Sunday afternoon, the Blues produced one of the more eye-catching performances of the opening Premier League weekend as they posted a 1-1 draw with Liverpool.

However, either side of that fixture, speculation persisted regarding a wide array of players who may arrive and depart Stamford Bridge in due course.

Romeo Lavia and Michael Olise are being tipped to follow Moises Caicedo in moving to Chelsea in deals which would exceed £200m.

Although Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital have already recouped more than that figure in sales this summer, that was initially required to get back on a level footing with FFP.

© Reuters

Despite the alleged insistence that Chelsea are in a better position with FFP than perceived, exits are expected to be forthcoming, including Lewis Hall making the switch to Newcastle United.

According to the Evening Standard, Boehly and Clearlake Capital want to ensure that another six players are off the books as soon as possible.

Amid conflicting reports over the completion of a medical, Hakim Ziyech may join Galatasaray on Thursday, while the expectation is that Callum Hudson-Odoi will eventually sign for Fulham.

The future of Romelu Lukaku has been a hot topic of debate, although Chelsea are yet to find a destination for a player who they wish to generate over £30m.

© Reuters

Conor Gallagher starred during Chelsea's fixture with Liverpool, yet the arrivals of Caicedo and Lavia would see the England international fall down the pecking order.

Ian Maatsen was another who impressed during pre-season, with the left-sided player also impressing in the number 10 role, but he currently has less than a year remaining on his contract.

Trevoh Chalobah is the final player on the list having effectively dropped to fifth in the central-defensive pecking order behind Thiago Silva, Levi Colwill, Axel Disasi and Benoit Badiashile.

Of the six, the report adds that Gallagher would prefer to remain at Chelsea to fight for his place, even with Andrey Santos and Lesley Ugochukwu also acting as options for Mauricio Pochettino.