With Mauricio Pochettino having a recently shown Joao Felix the door at Chelsea, the new Blues boss has now reportedly axed a second star from the team.
Earlier this week, Pochettino was appointed as Chelsea new manager on a two-year deal, with an option of a further year, after spending almost a year out of the game following his departure from Paris Saint-Germain.
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With the west London club having just endured one of their worst seasons ever, finishing in 12th place in the EPL, the Argentine has wasted no time in making some key decisions ahead of a potentially busy off-season.
It is no secret that one of the coach's most pertinent tasks at Stamford Bridge is trimming a bloated first-team squad, getting rid of players who are no longer happy in the team and some who are out of contract.
Having earlier this week informed Atletico Madrid that he has no intention of keeping Felix on a permanent deal following his six-month temporary spell with the Blues, which would have set the club back by a lofty £88 million (R2.1 billion), another loanee will now reportedly not continue at Chelsea.
According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, Pochettino has decided that midfielder Denis Zakaria is not in his plans for next season after the Swistzerland international spent the whole campaign on loan at Stamford Bridge.
Mauricio Pochettino has decided also on Denis Zakaria: Swiss midfielder's set to leave Chelsea in June, he's not part of the plans. ???? #CFCChelsea will not trigger the buy option clause, Zakaria will return at Juventus and then will assess his options. pic.twitter.com/uJTsi40089
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 30, 2023
Having failed to make a strong impression under multiple managers during Chelsea's disastrous 2022/23 campaign, it is understood the deep-lying playmaker's buyout clause, thought to be in the region of £30 million (R733 million), will not be triggered.
The 26-year-old was a constant feature on the bench and on the sidelines due to injury this season, and will depart having made just seven Premier League appearances.
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Chelsea are now reportedly trying to sort out the futures of Mason Mount and N'Golo Kante, with negotiations with both players said to have stalled in recent months.
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