Chelsea’s unnecessary purchases? Only five players from the current squad remember the two-year old triumph in the LM

A new Chelsea owner, a completely revamped squad and numerous sales. But was it even necessary? The London club won the Champions League two years ago, yet they completely overhauled their roster. Only five players remain from the Champions League roster at the time.

It’s 29 May 2021 and Chelsea, totally unexpectedly, wins the entire Champions League. On the way to the final, it knocks out Atletico Madrid, Porto and, with luck, Real Madrid in the semi-finals. At the same time, the squad is clearly playing for the White Ballet.

Manchester City is also the clear favourite in the final, but the Blues win with a goal from Kai Havetz. It is the German midfielder who is now close to a transfer and if this happens, only five memories of the two-year-old triumph will remain in the current Chelsea squad.

The other five winners who are still at the club have defensive duties. They are goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, experienced captains Cesar Azpilicueta and Thiago Silva and English flankers Reece James and Ben Chilwell.

If we look at the final line-up, all of the aforementioned were in it except Kepa. The number one was Edouard Mendy, according to some experts the best goalkeeper in the world at the time. But this year he was only number two and after the season he left for Saudi Arabia.

A question mark also hangs over Mason Mount, who, although he hasn’t transferred yet, doesn’t want to continue at Chelsea. He has filled the role of a substitute for the last six months, although he has been a mainstay for the previous three seasons. Manchester United are very interested in his services.

Mount was in the starting line-up in the Champions League final, with Timo Werner, now a player of Leipzig in the Bundesliga, in charge of the offensive along with Havertz. The midfield featured the freshly sold Ngolo Kanté and Jorginho, who is currently kicking at rival Arsenal.

The last of the final starting line-up is now kicking in Madrid. Antonio Rudiger has signed for Real Madrid. He is the only one of the five defenders in Thomas Tuchel’s 3-4-3 system who is no longer at the club.

Source: Champions League, UEFA