After a summer of non-stop activity in the transfer market, the Blues had to cut their squad to 42 people. Therefore, the issue now is not just about balancing the books to comply with financial fairness regulations.
Coach Enzo Maresca cannot use all 42 players at the same time, even if the number of tournaments Chelsea participates in is quite large. Being pushed aside and having to train with the U23 team or the youth team is something no player wants.
As things stand, Chelsea can field three separate starting lineups in the Premier League and none of them will be relegated. Maresca's first-choice squad will be good enough to compete for a place in the top four, the second will compete for European qualification and the third will fight relegation.
That is Chelsea's current strength in terms of squad depth. However, Maresca could not make all 42 players satisfied. Some players were signed when Thomas Tuchel was in charge, others arrived under Graham Potter and some have just joined under Mauricio Pochettino.
It's fair to say that Pochettino did provide some motivation to Chelsea's players at the end of last season. Until the coaching cycle stops and Chelsea spends enough time with the manager, perhaps, then the Blues can stabilize.
But now Chelsea have reached the breaking point where Maresca could face too many disgruntled players. And discontent will affect the overall mood of the club. Players in a precarious situation and not part of the plans could be Maresca's biggest problem.
The Blues leadership is too extreme and cruel, although Maresca has tried to deny this. Chelsea players seem to be becoming literal commodities in the transfer market.
Raheem Sterling or Ben Chilwell have more or less contributed to Chelsea but both have to suffer the same fate. They are no longer in Maresca's plans and must find a new destination. Until the 2024 summer market closes, how many Blues players will be in the same situation?
"Sterling and Chilwell are training separately. The situation of both is quite clear. We have a big squad and cannot give them all playing time. If they want more minutes, it is best to so I left. I tried to share honestly" - Maresca said.
