Chelsea recap: The players that have left Stamford Bridge so far amid Boehly’s overhaul

Chelsea have been one of the busiest Premier League clubs so far during the transfer window. 

Surprisingly, though, the majority of the deals that the Blues have completed have seen players departing Stamford Bridge.

Christopher Nkunku has arrived from German side RB Leipzig, but a number of important players have already left the club as owner Todd Boehly and new manager Mauricio Pochettino look to overhaul the squad.

Here, we take a look at the players that have left Chelsea so far this summer.

N’Golo Kante – Al-Ittihad – Free

French midfielder Kante has agreed a deal to join Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad when his Chelsea contract expires at the end of June. The 32-year-old had joined Chelsea from Leicester City back in 2016 and went on to make a total of 269 appearances for the Blues across all competitions. It had initially looked like Kante might sign a new deal and extend his stay in the capital, but he leaves Stamford Bridge having won a total of six trophies with the club including the Champions League and Premier League.

Mateo Kovacic – Manchester City – £30 million

Kovacic has left Chelsea to join rivals Manchester City

Another senior midfielder departing Chelsea this summer is Croatia international Kovacic. The former Real Madrid man spent five years with Chelsea including an initial season on loan, and has established himself as one of the Premier League’s best central midfielders over the past couple of campaigns. In total,  he made more than 220 appearances for the Blues, but he will now join Pep Guardiola’s Premier League and Champions League holders Manchester City.

Kai Havertz – Arsenal – £65 million

Another player to join one of Chelsea rivals, Havertz made the move across London to join Arsenal in a deal worth around £65 million. The Germany international joined Chelsea back in 2020 and wrote his name into the club’s history when he scored the winning goal during the 2021 Champions League final against Manchester City. In total, though, the forward only scored 32 goals in 139 matches across all competitions.

Edouard Mendy – Al Ahli – £15 million

Mendy has left Chelsea after three years with the club

Goalkeeper Mendy endured highs and lows during his three-year stay with Chelsea, before agreeing a move to Saudi Arabian side Al Ahli earlier this month. The Senegal international made 105 appearances for the club across all competitions and played a key role as the Blues lifted the Champions League in 2021, but his form dipped over the past year and he eventually lost his starting spot to Spaniard Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Kalidou Koulibaly – Al Hilal – Undisclosed

Koulibaly left Chelsea after just one season in London

Central defender Koulibaly is another high-profile player to join the Saudi Arabian Pro League this month, after agreeing a move to Al Hilal for an undisclosed fee. An international teammate of Mendy, the centre-back only joined Chelsea last summer from Italian side Napoli but is already on his way out of SW6. Over the course of last season, the 32-year-old made 32 appearances across all competitions as Chelsea recorded their lowest league finish in three decades.

With several weeks remaining until the transfer window slams shut, a number of other players could still depart Stamford Bridge. According to Fabrizio Romano, Manchester United have agreed a deal to sign midfielder Mason Mount, whose current contract is due to expire next summer.

Fellow midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek, 27, is also expected to depart with a move to Italian giants AC Milan lined up, Romano claims.

Other fringe players, including Hakim Ziyech and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, are also expected to leave the club this summer.