The easy solution to Chelsea's biggest transfer headache

Updated: 10 Aug 2026 15:59 BST |
6 min read

Cameron Smith
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Digital Content Producer

Accredited sports journalist covering football since 2020

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Chelsea are expected to prioritise player departures during the remainder of the 2026 summer transfer window, with the club keen to drastically reduce the size of their first-team squad before Deadline Day on 1 September.

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A key issue to fix is their current plethora of centre forward options, but the club are yet to make a final decision on who to keep, loan and sell.

For new manager Xabi Alonso, however, there is an easy solution to Chelsea’s striker headache.

David Datro Fofana – SELL

David Datro Fofana has been sent on five different loans since becoming a Chelsea player in January 2023 and the club must finally offload him on a permanent deal if they are able to find a suitor before Deadline Day.

The Ivorian still has three years left on his current contract at Stamford Bridge, but his Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) has gradually fallen to €5.3m and it’s time to cut ties.

Liam Delap – SELL

Liam Delap arrived at Chelsea amid significant acclaim following a hugely impressive debut season at Ipswich Town, in which he scored 12 goals in 37 Premier League games.

He was regarded as a relative bargain at €35.5m, but he endured a torrid campaign in west London, netting just twice in all competitions, including only once in the English top flight.

Delap often resorted to initiating physical battles with opposition centre-backs last term, rather than having a positive attacking impact, and he simply looks a level below what Chelsea require. Given the other options at Alonso’s disposal, a sale is the best outcome.

Marc Guiu – SELL

Marc Guiu joined Chelsea for a measly €6m from Barcelona and considering his ETV now stands at €16.4m, the Blues are in line to earn a tidy profit if a permanent sale is finalised before the end of the summer window.

The Spaniard, 20, is a talented striker, however he has never been given a consistent run of games to prove himself and Chelsea would be wise to cash in this summer.

Guiu, meanwhile, will benefit from playing regular football, and a sale therefore suits all parties.

Deivid Washington – LOAN

Deivid Washington must go down as one of Chelsea’s worst ever signings, having made only three first-team appearances after his €16m switch from Santos.

The 21-year-old scored just once in 20 games during a loan spell back at Santos in 2025, and after 12 months in the wilderness at Stamford Bridge, he needs to leave the club.

However, his ETV has dropped to just €4.6m and Chelsea therefore need to organise a suitable loan move before sanctioning a sale in 2027, by which time his reputation will hopefully have improved tenfold.

Shumaira Mheuka – LOAN

Shumaira Mheuka finds himself in an entirely different situation to Washington, but a loan move is also the best course of action for the young Chelsea striker.

Mheuka won the Premier League 2 Player of the Year award after scoring 18 goals in 19 games last season and after ripping things up in academy football for the past few years, he needs to play regular senior football in 2026-27.

Widespread reports have confirmed that a loan move will be finalised before Deadline Day, but it remains to be seen where he will end up.

Emmanuel Emegha – LOAN

Chelsea finalised the signing of Emmanuel Emegha last September, much to the dismay of Strasbourg fans, and he formally joined the club in July for a fee worth just over €25m.

However, the Dutchman has struggled with persistent injury problems over the past few seasons and he failed to make a single appearance during Chelsea’s pre-season tour of Australia and Asia as a result of a hamstring issue.

With several other strikers available to Alonso, Emegha is likely to be way down the pecking order and it may be best for him to put together a string of consecutive games, without getting injured, while out on loan.

Joao Pedro – KEEP

Joao Pedro attracted significant transfer interest from Barcelona following a sensational first season at Chelsea, but he is set to sign a new contract at Stamford Bridge as a reward for his form in 2025-26.

The Brazilian scored 20 goals across all competitions last term and he will continue to play a prominent role under Alonso, either as a centre forward or in a slightly deeper No.10 zone.

Regardless of his position on the pitch, he will be one of Chelsea’s most important players during the upcoming season.

Danny Welbeck – KEEP

Danny Welbeck arrived from Brighton & Hove Albion for €5.9m in late July and he is expected to play a back-up role during his debut campaign in west London.

The ex-England international enjoyed the best season of his entire career last year, netting 13 Premier League goals, and he will likely be used as an impact substitute by Alonso.

However, his role in the dressing room will arguably be even more important than anything he does on the pitch, with Welbeck set to be tasked with improving the mentality of Chelsea’s youthful squad.

Nicolas Jackson – KEEP

With the exception of Pedro, Nicolas Jackson is the player who would generate the largest transfer income on this list. So, it’s little surprise that Chelsea are considering a sale, especially given he spent last season on loan at Bayern Munich.

However, the Blues would be incredibly foolish if they permit him to depart on a permanent deal before the end of Deadline Day.

Jackson’s finishing has been inconsistent throughout his stint at Chelsea, but he still has 30 goals in 81 competitive games for the club and his all-round game is a level above the likes of Delap and Emegha.

His link-up play with Cole Palmer is immense, he is a real threat in behind and his close control when receiving the ball with his back to goal is often excellent. Furthermore, his performances in pre-season have been hugely encouraging and it would be a major error if Jackson is sold.

Chelsea don’t need a plethora of centre forwards at the club due to their lack of European football this season, but a roster of Pedro, Welbeck and Jackson would give Alonso plenty of tactical flexibility, and keeping the Senegal star would therefore be the correct decision.