Nicolas Jackson, Liam Delap and Mykhailo Mudryk are among a contingent of up to 12 Chelsea players working separately from the first-team group at Cobham, football.london understands.
Blues insiders are eager to clarify that this isn't a repeat of the so-called 'bomb squad' from earlier campaigns under BlueCo's ownership, a point underscored by new arrivals Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck being part of the setup. Rather, it represents a diverse collection of players conducting sessions apart from Xabi Alonso's main squad at Cobham.
The development emerges just days before Chelsea's Premier League curtain-raiser against Fulham at Craven Cottage. Jackson, Delap and Mudryk are all working within this separate unit alongside the likes of Tosin Adarabioyo, Axel Disasi, plus Henderson and Welbeck.
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Henderson and Welbeck are participating in that setup as the two experienced new signings get up to speed, with their training arrangements reportedly determined by individual workload requirements and the nature of sessions Alonso conducts with the primary group.
Alonso is collaborating with the club's sporting directors in an effort to reduce his roster ahead of the new league campaign kicking off this week. Currently, Chelsea have 41 first-team players featured on their official website, a figure that doesn't even account for Disasi.
It's important to note that this tally includes several academy prospects who have been involved with the senior squad lately.
Several players from the separate group — who continue to use the first-team facilities at Chelsea's Surrey base, unlike the so-called 'bomb squad' of previous years — are being made available for transfer.
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Delap is on the market for a fee in excess of £50 million ($68 million), Chelsea sources insist, while Jackson can depart if his £65 million ($88.5 million) valuation is met.
Emmanuel Emegha, who joined from RC Strasbourg this summer, is anticipated to feature in Alonso's plans for the 2026/27 season, with the Dutchman expected to compete alongside Welbeck and Joao Pedro for the No. 9 spot at Stamford Bridge.
Disasi and Tosin are likewise anticipated to move on. The defensive pair have attracted interest from both Premier League clubs and overseas, though no deal is close to completion at this stage.
Mudryk, meanwhile, is being made available on a loan basis. However, Chelsea have yet to secure a temporary destination for the Ukrainian winger, who recently made his return to action following an extended ban.
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