{"id":4380,"date":"2026-05-05T18:25:49","date_gmt":"2026-05-05T18:25:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=4380"},"modified":"2026-05-05T18:25:49","modified_gmt":"2026-05-05T18:25:49","slug":"next-chelsea-manager-has-nine-non-negotiables-as-blueco-face-difficult-cole-palmer-decision","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=4380","title":{"rendered":"Next Chelsea manager has nine non-negotiables as BlueCo face difficult Cole Palmer decision"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"article-body\">\n<h2 class=\"LeadText_lead-text__wd_PA __className_1cee89\" data-testid=\"leadtext\">The next Chelsea boss will have to make some difficult decisions in the summer.<\/h2>\n<p><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX ImageEmbed_image-lead__Ti3qQ\" data-testid=\"leadimage\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"33890642\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Cole Palmer of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Nottingham Forest at Stamford Bridge on May 04, 2026 in London, England\" loading=\"eager\" sizes=\"(max-width: 508px) 508px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33890642.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_GettyImages-2274593742.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33890642.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s508\/0_GettyImages-2274593742.jpg 508w, https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33890642.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615\/0_GettyImages-2274593742.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33890642.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_GettyImages-2274593742.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Cole Palmer during Chelsea's clash against Nottingham Forest\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Cole Palmer during Chelsea&#8217;s clash against Nottingham Forest<cite aria-label=\"Image: Photo by Justin Setterfield\/Getty Images\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Photo by Justin Setterfield\/Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Only nine players should be afforded the security of a future at Stamford Bridge by the next Chelsea head coach. The Blues are back in the market for a new gaffer after sacking Liam Rosenior, who lasted just 104 days in the dugout.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Excluding interims, the 41-year-old was the fifth boss to part ways with Chelsea since Clearlake Capital, led by Behdad Eghbali and Todd Boehly, took the reins in May 2022. <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">football.london<\/strong> understands that senior officials are aware they do not get every decision right and are looking to learn from past mistakes.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">So, they are willing to take the necessary time before appointing the next head coach, with BlueCo looking for someone who can help develop the young squad. Chelsea have identified Andoni Iraola, Marco Silva, and Xabi Alonso as potential candidates for the vacancy in west London.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">But, as it stands, it remains unclear who the Blues will appoint. The next Chelsea boss, whoever it may be, will be tasked with rebuilding a squad that&#8217;s in desperate need of a new lick of paint.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">FOLLOW OUR CHELSEA FB PAGE!<\/strong> <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Latest Blues news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">So, with that being said, <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">football.london<\/strong> has looked at the nine players the next Chelsea manager needs to build the squad around.<\/p>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContentsEmbed_affiliate-contents-container__oTiet\" data-testid=\"affiliate-contents-embed\">\n<div data-testid=\"affiliate-content\" class=\"AffiliateContent_affiliate-content-container__10EX_ affiliate-content\">\n<p>Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package<\/p>\n<div class=\"AffiliateDisclaimer_affiliate-disclaimer__dG5ST\">\n<div class=\"AffiliateDisclaimer_affiliate-text__8nmDa\">This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_section-container__JMDzM AffiliateContent_content-details__U6C2M AffiliateContent_has-content-img___LY95\">\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_section-content__QCkL9\">\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_content-image__FxPNL\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Content Image\" fetchpriority=\"auto\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article29688868.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s510b\/0_Sky-Factbox.jpg\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContent_section-container__JMDzM\">\n<div id=\"product-description\" class=\"AffiliateContent_section-content__QCkL9\">\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h3 class=\"HeadingThree_heading-three__PBHLs  __className_bdce66\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Four Chelsea defenders survive mass exodus<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">As part of a long-overdue rebuild at the back, only four defenders should be guaranteed a place in the Chelsea squad next season: Levi Colwill, Reece James, Jorrel Hato, and Josh Acheampong&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Last summer, when Enzo Maresca masterminded a win over Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup final, the Blues appeared to have turned a corner. For the first time under the new ownership, Chelsea took a step in the right direction.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The west Londoners were only a couple of signings away from building a backline that could compete on all fronts. All that the former Chelsea boss needed a world-class centre-back to partner Colwill.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-33876310\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"33876310\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.25\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Levi Colwill \" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33876310.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/1_GettyImages-2273440089jp.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33876310.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/1_GettyImages-2273440089jp.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33876310.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/1_GettyImages-2273440089jp.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33876310.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/1_GettyImages-2273440089jp.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Levi Colwill in Chelsea training\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Levi Colwill in Chelsea training<cite aria-label=\"Image: Darren Walsh\/Chelsea FC\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Darren Walsh\/Chelsea FC)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Then, at the start of pre-season, the Cobham graduate suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury, ruling him out until May. Suddenly, the Blues needed to sign two centre-backs \u2013 one to play on the right and the other to play on the left in the absence of Colwill.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Ironically, the only out-and-out centre-back that the Chelsea sporting directors signed was Mamadou Sarr, who they sent back out on loan to Strasbourg a few weeks later. The 20-year-old was recalled in January, only to make five appearances.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">During what has been a difficult period for the Blues, James and Hato are the only defenders that haven&#8217;t fallen short of expectation. Meanwhile, for reasons out of their control, whether it be injury or managerial decisions, Colwill and Acheampong have been largely absent this term.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-33056579\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"33056579\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Josh Acheampong in action for Chelsea against Atalanta\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33056579.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/1_GettyImages-2251031260.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33056579.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/1_GettyImages-2251031260.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33056579.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/1_GettyImages-2251031260.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33056579.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/1_GettyImages-2251031260.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Josh Acheampong was superb for Chelsea against Atalanta back in December\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Josh Acheampong was superb for Chelsea against Atalanta back in December<cite aria-label=\"Image: Alessandro Sabattini\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Alessandro Sabattini)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<h3 class=\"HeadingThree_heading-three__PBHLs  __className_bdce66\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Chelsea fight to keep midfield maestros<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Chelsea will have to fight to keep Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo at Stamford Bridge next season. If they were to leave, the next Blues boss would have to rebuild the midfield from scratch, which would take an incredible amount of time and resources.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Andrey Santos showed glimpses of great promise under Liam Rosenior, but otherwise struggled to establish himself as a key player. As for Romeo Lavia, he&#8217;s fallen short of expectation upon his return from the sidelines, having always caught the eye when Maresca was in charge.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-33841047\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"33841047\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Chelsea celebrate Enzo Fernandez's goal against Leeds United\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33841047.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_GettyImages-2272670740.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33841047.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_GettyImages-2272670740.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33841047.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_GettyImages-2272670740.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33841047.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_GettyImages-2272670740.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Chelsea celebrate Enzo Fernandez's goal against Leeds United in the FA Cup semi-final\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Chelsea celebrate Enzo Fernandez&#8217;s goal against Leeds United in the FA Cup semi-final<cite aria-label=\"Image: Adrian Dennis\/AFP\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Adrian Dennis\/AFP)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<h3 class=\"HeadingThree_heading-three__PBHLs  __className_bdce66\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Palmer faces harsh reality of Chelsea form<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Cole Palmer will have to make a great impression in pre-season training if he wants to remain a key player under the next Chelsea boss. The 23-year-old midfielder has struggled to impress for a while now, with Joao Pedro shouldering a lot of workload in the final third.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Although Palmer has largely disappointed, he has, in fairness, often been fighting to stay fit this season. When the next Blues boss takes over at the end of the season, he&#8217;ll be under pressure to prove his worth \u2013 fit or not.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-33886691\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"33886691\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Cole Palmer of Chelsea looks on during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Nottingham Forest at Stamford Bridge on May 04, 2026 in London, England\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33886691.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_GettyImages-2274454776.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33886691.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_GettyImages-2274454776.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33886691.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_GettyImages-2274454776.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33886691.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_GettyImages-2274454776.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Cole Palmer during Chelsea's clash against Nottingham Forest\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Cole Palmer during Chelsea&#8217;s clash against Nottingham Forest<cite aria-label=\"Image: Photo by Chris Lee - Chelsea FC\/Chelsea FC via Getty Images\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Photo by Chris Lee &#8211; Chelsea FC\/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<h3 class=\"HeadingThree_heading-three__PBHLs  __className_bdce66\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Nine non-negotiables for next Chelsea manager<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The next Chelsea manager should rebuild the squad around nine players: Levi Colwill, Reece James, Jorrel Hato, Josh Acheampong, Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo, Joao Pedro, Estevao Willian, and Cole Palmer.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Other than Robert Sanchez and Trevoh Chalobah, whose form under Enzo Maresca could let them off the hook, no other senior player currently on the books at Stamford Bridge should be afforded the security of a place in the squad next season.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The next Chelsea boss will have to make some difficult decisions in the summer. Cole&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4381,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4380","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-chelsea"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4380","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4380"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4380\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/4381"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4380"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4380"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4380"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}