Raiding the road to Club World Cup success on Sunday night, claiming the iconic 3-0 runaway against European champions PSG, Chelsea certainly produced what was a heavyweight upset in New Jersey.
Enzo Maresca’s men, crowned the European Congress League champion in May and embarked on what was a sensational summer adventure, suddenly has lots of hopes on their shoulders ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, which will begin next month.
The Bruce are still very active during the summer transfer period, as many have already charged them as a legitimate threat to defend Premier League champion Liverpool.
But while new recruit Joan Pedro may have had a surprising impact since completing a permanent switch from Brighton at the beginning of the month, it appears that Maresca is now focusing on trimming his team.
England International Noni Maduce is set to complete a permanent switch across London this month, and we’ve seen some of the other Chelsea superstars that could be pushed out of the Stamford Bridge exit.
Nicholas Jackson
Nicholas Jackson only signed a new two-year contract extension with Chelsea last year, and now sits on a significantly running contract until 2033, while Senegal International appears to be on his way out of West London.
The former Villarre Al Marksman recorded one domestic strike since mid-December despite finding the net in Chelsea’s final victory over Real Betis in the 4-1 European Conference League on May 28th.
Jackson has quickly rolled Maresca’s impressive peck-order after Liam Dellup completed a £30 million move from Ipswich last month and seeing Pedro have had a sensational immediate impact in the US.
After picking up a straight red card against Flamengo on June 20th, the 24-year-old, who was left as an unused replacement for PSG on Sunday night, reportedly accepted that travelling from Stamford Bridge was the best.
Jackson may have been seen as a ridiculous figure frequently since his arrival at Chelsea in the summer of 2023, but he has a lot of heavyweight interest from all over the European elite.
🚨🔵Nicolas Jackson has the opportunity to leave Chelsea this summer.
After Nuni Maduke to Arsenal, he could be the next one to try out a new chapter elsewhere.
AC Milan asked for Jackson, but Chelsea is still too expensive to ask for the price.
Premier League clubs are also enthusiastic and informative. 👀 pic.twitter.com/f2hpmul4q7
-Fabrizio Romano (@fabrizioromano) July 11, 2025
Christopher Nunk
Few people would have expected Christopher Nukank to play such a regular role during his Club World Cup adventure, taking a late cameo appearance from the New Jersey bench on Sunday night.
However, while previous RB Leipzig Ace may have been featured in each of Chelsea’s final five summer appearances in the US, it is still widely expected that the French International will complete a permanent move from West London.
Nkunku, who didn’t appear in any of Chelsea’s final eight appearances in all competitions last season, recorded a trio of Premier League strikes and was unable to find his foot at Stamford Bridge.
Despite enjoying a shocking summer boost, Nkunku reportedly revealed that he wanted to start his career outside of the British capital.
However, Chelsea reportedly rekindled interest in wanting Manchester United forward Alejandro Garnacho, suggesting that Maresca’s side is keen to include the 27-year-old in any deal.
🚨🔵Christopher #kunku He will leave Chelsea this summer – as previously reported, the decision has been made. #CFC
It is planned to be a permanent transfer rather than a loan.
FC Bayern is still monitoring his situation and remains in touch with his management team. But nothing has progressed… pic.twitter.com/qpr1rvyp2p
– Florian Plettenberg (@plettigoal) May 19, 2025
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall may have quickly chased his former Leicester boss to Stamford Bridge last summer on a £30 million deal, but the 26-year-old soon became a forgotten man in West London.
Just making the Premier League pair last season is clearly not part of Maresca’s plans for next season, but it’s almost impossible to see how the former Blackpool lender can revive his career in the British capital.
Dewsbury-Hall is now at a major crossroads, with a major decision over the next month, dramatically refusing to move to Brighton last summer and forcing him to move to SW6.
As Maresca said publicly earlier this year, the former Leicester skipper was unhappy with the lack of opportunities. It is speculated that Bruce is open to accepting the inappropriate midfield star’s first loan move.
Chelsea already accepts that it would be difficult to recover the entire £30 million spent last year, but all parties have accepted that travel from Stamford Bridge is the best.
🚨🔵Malesca: “Unfortunately, I can’t say that Dewsbury-Hall is not on sale.”
“Not just Keenan, the whole team. Anything can happen when the window is open.” pic.twitter.com/pyg08pxtja
-Fabrizio Romano (@fabrizioromano) December 20, 2024