What homegrown player rules mean for Marina Granovskaia's Chelsea summer transfer plans

A very busy summer lies in wait at Stamford Bridge and Cobham, with Thomas Tuchel's mind on a club rebuild and not simply improving his squad. Antonio Rudiger has departed for Real Madrid, and Andreas Christensen is soon to depart with his contract also to expire, while decisions must be made over a series of players whose deals come to an end in 2023.

Tuchel said ahead of the summer: "We are rebuilding, not improving the squad. We are rebuilding. This is always challenging, but we are up for the challenge. I don't know where we are from day one. What I can promise is that I will be here – if I can promise that – I will be here with full energy and positive energy no matter what. We will still work for Chelsea, and I refuse to think of negative scenarios. We will be competitive, on which level we will see.

"On how the delay and sanctions will affect us, there is a risk. It will be very challenging to make up for the disadvantage, given the situation of the other two teams: City and Liverpool, who are already improving the squad and set one benchmark after the other in all aspects of the game."

: Confirmed departure and a Thomas Tuchel meeting - the transfer status of Chelsea's loan army

The Blues are also set to welcome back the vast swathes of their loan army for Tuchel to assess and difficult decisions will have to be made over their futures, and whether Chelsea already hold better options than what Marina Granovskaia may be able to prise from other clubs in the transfer market.

Reports suggest the Russian director is set to depart in August, but with meetings already underway with new owner Todd Boehly, one of Chelsea's priorities will be to get their squad ready. However, with players set to leave Chelsea's books,