Chelsea Transfer News: 7 More Players To Leave Stamford Bridge?

Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo could ship out as many as seven players this summer as a further clear-out is expected at Stamford Bridge.

By Matt Holmes /

Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo could ship out as many as seven players this summer as a further clear-out is expected at Stamford Bridge, according to The Telegraph. The Blues have already allowed the contracts of high-paid stars Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou and Jose Bosingwa expire this pre-season and according to reports Florent Malouda, Michael Essien and Gael Kakuta could be available for the right price with big question marks hanging over the heads of their futures. New signing Thorgan Hazard (brother of fellow new signing Edin), Belgian Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku are expected to be sent out on loan to gain vital experience elsewhere. Belgian keeper Thibault Courtiois has also now secured a loan agreement to ply this trade outside of Chelsea next season. Di Matteo is reducing the size of his squad after a number of high profile and expensive signings, the latest being the acquisition of highly rated Brazilian playmaker Oscar. Di Matteo claims the spending will not stop there and he expects to sign two more players before the end of the transfer window with Wigan's Victor Moses and a right-back (Lille's Mathieu Debuchy and Marseille's Cesar Azpilicueta the top targets).