Chelsea’s 2022/23 season ended with a 2-1 win over Watford on the final day. The Blues will now commence their plans for the next season, with a crucial summer awaiting them. However, Chelsea will facilitate a number of exits even before they can sign any. Center-back duo Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen are ready to leave, with both agreeing a move to Real Madrid and FC Barcelona respectively. Moreover, full-backs Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso are looking out as well. Furthermore, Chelsea could lose two more players in the summer according to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano.
Fabrizio Romano, who confirmed Rudiger and Christensen’s exits, now reveals that Christian Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech could leave too. The attacking duo have evidently failed to impress the Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel. Pulisic has only 17 starts to his name this season, while Ziyech has struggled with just 24. Clearly, Pulisic and Ziyech have failed to land regular game-time under Tuchel at Chelsea. As a result, they are anticipating summer exits as Romano confirms.
Chelsea landed Pulisic in 2019 from Borussia Dortmund for a fee of £57 million. The winger arrived with high expectations and even justified them under former manager Frank Lampard. However, since Tuchel’s appointment, Pulisic has had to settle on the bench more often than take the field. Hakim Ziyech arrived in 2020 for £40 million. The Moroccan had stupendous numbers to his name at Ajax, scoring 49 goals and further assisting 81 in four seasons. Chelsea did not waste any time in acquiring Ziyech, however, the winger has met with the same fate as that Pulisic. But things could change for the Chelsea duo according to Romano.
Romano suggests Chelsea pair face uncertain future at the club
Pulisic and Ziyech have been victims of Tuchel’s playing style. The German set up his team in 3-4-3, with two wing-backs. Chelsea have an abundance of talent in their wing-backs department in Ben Chilwell and Marcos Alonso on the left, and Azpilicueta and Reece James on the right. Therefore, the attacking players are needed to operate centrally, giving the wing-backs to exploit the flanks. Pulisic and Ziyech being traditional wingers had to make room for the wing-backs.
Pulisic and Ziyech have scored only 8 goals each this season, further accumulating a mere 5 and 6 assists respectively. Moreover, Tuchel has hinted that he is ready for a formational change, however emphasizing that the structure will remain the same. Therefore, there’s only a little hope for Pulisic and Ziyech to get into the plans of the manager.
Romano now says that the duo of Chelsea attackers are considering their options in the upcoming summer market. While speaking to CaughOffside, Romano said,
“Christian Pulisic will have a meeting with Chelsea to discuss his future, even if his priority is to continue with the Blues. Hakim Ziyech is considered another player with chances to leave the club”.
If Chelsea transfer-list both the wingers, many of Europe’s top clubs could line in to sign them. Pulisic has formerly attracted interest from Spanish giants FC Barcelona and the Catalans could reignite their pursuit. Moreover, Juventus are looking to replace Paulo Dybala with Pulisic, and Ziyech’s possible availability could attract attention as well.
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