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After a year of lavish spending, Chelsea is on course for a massive culling at Stamford Bridge. They have a bloated dressing room and new coach Mauricio Pochettino likes limited numbers to choose from. Moreover, they need to balance their books after spending 600 million Euros to comply with UEFA’s Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules.
They have already allowed Tiemoue Bakayoko to leave on a free transfer after making a paltry 43 appearances for the Blues since arriving for €40 million from Monaco. He is joined at the exit door by World Cup winner and Champions League hero, N’golo Kante. The French midfield destroyer joined Al-Ittihad and can have a fellow Blue in Saudia soon.
Mendy out of Stamford Bridge
Eduard Mendy agreed on personal terms for a three-year deal with Al Ahli last week. Transfer specialist journalist, Fabrizio Romano, has revealed that a ‘verbal agreement was reached between the clubs and the official announcement for the deal will be announced soon.
Understand Chelsea have reached full verbal agreement with Saudi’s Al Ahli to sell Edouard Mendy. 🚨⚪️🟢🇸🇦 #CFC
Mendy agreed personal terms with Al Ahli on three year deal, as revealed last week.
Contracts to be checked, then signed if all goes to plan.
Here we go 🇸🇳 pic.twitter.com/8OsjHSTJRz
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 21, 2023
Mendy impressed since arriving from Rennes, making 93 appearances in his first two seasons. It seemed he had edged out Kepa Arrizabalaga in the starting eleven but the Spaniard profited from the 31-year-old’s struggles with injury and poor form. Mendy only made 12 appearances for Chelsea in the disastrous 2022/23 campaign and seems to have lost the first team battle.
While Kepa wrestled back his place in the starting eleven, Eduard was sparingly used by Graham Potter and Frank Lampard. In the limited opportunities he earned, Mendy’s inconsistencies and glaring mistakes further held the Blues back in an already tumultuous campaign.
The 29-time capped Senegal international was linked with a return to Ligue 1 but has had his head turned by the Saudi Pro League. He is not the only Chelsea player to move to the SPL with two others also expected to join him.
Chelsea’s mass exodus for SPL
Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali’s contacts in Saudia are proving to be useful. In addition to Mendy, the SPL clubs are also prepared to take two more players from their hands.
Understand Al Nassr have reached full verbal agreement with Hakim Ziyech to join the club. Personal terms agreed. 🚨🟡🔵🇸🇦
Ziyech will sign until June 2026, if all goes to plan.
Agreement reached also with Chelsea, waiting to prepare, check then sign contracts.
Here we go! 🇲🇦 pic.twitter.com/wywVV8cocB
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 21, 2023
Hakim Ziyech has been a disgruntled figure in West London ever since he was denied a chance to play alongside Lionel Messi at PSG. The Morocco international was linked with a move to Parc des Princes again as the summer transfer window opened but it seems Al Nassr has stolen a march on them.
In the absence of a true goalscorer in West London, Ziyech could not show his creative abilities. He can prove what the Blues missed as he stands up to become the chief supplier for Cristiano Ronaldo’s efficient displays up front.
Kalidou Koulibaly is another Chelsea star on the verge of joining an SPL entity. Ever since Maurizio Sarri took charge of the Blues, Koulibaly was linked with the Blues but is leaving after only one year at Stamford Bridge.
He failed to live up to his billing since his €38 million arrival, seeing his value decline after a disastrous first season. Pochettino does not rank him highly and Koulibaly will be allowed to link up with Mendy at Al Ahli, with personal terms agreed.
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