Former Chelsea defender, Frank Leboeuf, has advised the club’s manager, Xabi Alonso, to sell at least 15 players during the ongoing summer transfer window.
Leboeuf said Chelsea currently have an oversized squad of about 45 players, warning that keeping too many players could create problems within the dressing room and affect the team’s preparation.
The former France international, speaking on ESPN FC, said Alonso must reduce the number of players available to him to build a more focused squad.
“I think they have like 45 players. They have to get rid of some of them,” Leboeuf said.
“Xabi Alonso will have to select the players and maybe get rid of 15, at least 15 players. That is insane, but it’s what he has to do. Otherwise, you cannot work.
“You cannot be able to work properly every day, week in and week out, to make sure that everybody is tuned in. So it’s going to be hard.
“He’s going to get rid of the players he doesn’t want, because if they are here or not, they are going to create problems inside the dressing room.”
Alonso has received Chelsea’s backing in his first transfer window as manager, with the club bringing in several new signings, including Morgan Rogers, Maxence Lacroix, Marco Palestra, Valentin Barco, Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck.
The Spaniard is now expected to trim his squad ahead of the new Premier League season as Chelsea look to maintain a competitive and balanced team.
Samuel Agada is a writer and media contributor from Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State, Nigeria. He is a graduate of Biochemistry from the University of Jos and a former banker with GTBank and FCMB. A prolific writer, songwriter, educator, and Gospel preacher, he is passionate about informing, inspiring, and impacting society through his work.