Four Chelsea Players Omitted From Manchester City Clash Amid Transfer Rows

• Four Chelsea players have seemingly all but lost their places in the squad for the 2024/2025 season
• The players were not assigned squad numbers ahead of their first game of the season against Manchester City
• Conor Gallagher has been linked with a transfer away despite being one of the most consistent performers last season

Four Chelsea players have been omitted from the squad to play Manchester City on Sunday evening.

The Blues are currently grappling with an oversized squad with new boss Enzo Maresca having at least 43 senior players.

Who are the players omitted from the program?

Ahead of the showdown against the defending champions in their opening game of the season, Conor Gallagher, Romelu Lukaku, Kepa Arrizabalaga, and Armando Broja were omitted from the matchday program despite still being Chelsea players.

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GMS' correspondent Ben Jacobs reports that the players were not assigned squad numbers. Gallagher's 23 remains vacant, while Broja's 19 was given to new signing Pedro Neto, who joined from Wolves.

Lukaku and Arrizabalaga were on loan at AS Roma and Real Madrid, respectively, and will be hoping to secure moves away from the club before the end of the transfer window.

Chelsea's line-up to face Manchester City

Maresca has since named his first competitive XI as his reign in West London begins. Robert Sanchez has been preferred ahead of new recruit Filip Jörgensen. Malo Gusto will play at right back, with captain Reece James out with injury and suspension. Wesley Fofana, Levi Colwill, and Marc Cucurella complete the defence.

Romeo Lavia will play alongside Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo after overcoming his injury concerns. Christopher Nkunku, Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson have been tasked with bringing in the goals.

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Why Chelsea want to sell Gallagher

Briefly News had earlier reported why Chelsea want to sell Gallagher despite his impressive performances throughout the last term.

The England international was one of Mauricio Pochettino's consistent performers in a side that took a while before getting into form.

He has been linked with a move to Atletico Madrid as the Blues try to conform to the Profit and Sustainability rules.

Source: TUKO.co.ke