Chelsea Only Have 14 Outfield Players

The transfer window has just over 9 days left to run. The season is in full flow and here, at Vital Chelsea, we are fully aware the first team squad is somewhat understaffed. You may not have noticed (only joking).

Chelsea`s official website has the current first team squad listed here, it gives an indication of who and where Chelsea should be looking to strengthen.

Goalkeepers
Thibaut Courtois
Eduardo
Willy Caballero

Defenders
Marcos Alonso
Cesar Azpilicueta
Gary Cahill (Homegrown)
Andreas Christensen (Under 21)
David Luiz
Antonio Rudiger
Victor Moses (Homegrown)

Midfielders
N`golo Kante
Tiemoue Bakayoko
Cesc Fabregas (Homegrown)
Eden Hazard
Kenedy (Under 21)
Charley Musonda Jr (Under 21)
Pedro
Willian
Jeremie Boga (Under 21)

Strikers
Michy Batshuayi
Diego Costa
Alvaro Morata

So, there you have it as it currently stands. If you discount Costa, the first team squad consists of just 21 players. Within 24 hours of the transfer window closing at 11pm on 31st August, Premier League clubs must submit a squad list to the league.

The 25 man list of players should include no more than 17 non-homegrown players, Chelsea`s current squad has 14. The remaining 8 must be homegrown. Chelsea currently have 3, Fabregas and Moses qualify due to the amount of time spent coming through the English system. The Under 21`s in the above list can be given squad numbers and play, but they don`t form part of the actual 25 man squad.

Therefore, discounting the under 21`s the first team squad of the current Champions of England, on their own website, has just 17 players. It gets worse because 3 of the 17 are goalkeepers, 2 of which will have very little impact on the first team. In reality we currently have 14 outfield players, one of which Eden Hazard, is injured.

We could sign 3 more non-homegrown and 5 homegrown players before the window shuts. If you work off the basis that the Under 21`s won`t get a look in, then the transfer team behind the scenes at Chelsea ought to get their BACS and CHAPS payment systems in gear.

All this gives an indication as to why Marina Granovskaia and Michael Emanalo are looking at English targets from the Premier League so persistently. As does it indicate why the clubs of these players suddenly value them so much.

When will Chelsea FC learn to get their business done early. See, Simples! Expect signings imminently.