Chelsea send clear transfer hint with squad decision against Fulham

Several transfer-listed players left out for trip to Craven Cottage

Xabi Alonso’s first official starting lineup as Chelsea manager has provided a hint at the club’s remaining transfer business.

Alonso has named Romeo Lavia and Josh Acheampong among his starters in a 3-4-2-1 formation for the Blues’ opening game of the Premier League season against Fulham at Craven Cottage.

But it was some of the players not named in the team nor on the bench that gave some hints as to what the final week of Chelsea’s transfer window could look like.

Mykhailo Mudryk, Nicolas Jackson, Dario Essugo, Marc Guiu, and Tosin Adarabioyo are among the players left out entirely by Xabi Alonso.

That could be further evidence that they are expected to leave the club before the window closes at 11pm next Tuesday.

Mudryk is not for sale but is available for loan and has offers from across Europe and in the Premier League. Coventry are interested and so are Leeds, though Chelsea insist they have ended talks with Leeds despite it being the Ukrainian’s preferred destination at present.

Jackson is for sale and valued by Chelsea at £65million amid interest from, among others, Aston Villa, who could lose Ollie Watkins to Al Hilal.

Chelsea are also willing to sell Guiu, who they value at £25m. Centre-back Tosin is also available for sale and has interest from Europe.

Essugo is another player who is available for loan. Strasbourg could be an option for the midfielder, just as they could be for Mudryk, though Chelsea’s sister club could only sign one of those two on loan from the Blues.