Who can afford €300 million worth of players out of squad? Only Chelsea

Heading into the 2024/2025 season, Chelsea had as many as 45 first-team players (?!), being one of the teams with the largest squads in the world. However, they have apparently learned a lesson, as Enzo Maresca currently has "only" 36 players at his disposal.

The Stamford Bridge club sold 11 first-team members, including Kepa Arrizabalaga (Arsenal), Armando Broja (Burnley), Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (Everton), Lesley Ugochukwu (Burnley), Djordje Petrovic (Bournemouth), Joao Felix (Al-Nassr), and Noni Madueke (Arsenal), and loaned out four youngsters.

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Still, some players had to be left out of the squad ahead of the opening Premier League round against Crystal Palace. In fact, a whole lineup could be built just from those "cast-offs," and what a lineup would that be!

Namely, it would be worth almost €300 million!

Gabriel Slonina, a US prospect who arrived from Chicago Fire three years ago, would be between the posts. Ben Chilwell, a returnee from a loan at Crystal Palace, Axel Disasi, a written-off centre-back whom the Blues are trying to sell, and the two injured players Benoit Badiashile and Levi Colwill would compose a defensive line.

Another sidelined name, Romeo Lavia, alongside Carney Chukwuemeka, who spent the past five months on loan at Borussia Dortmund, and the soon-to-be Villarreal player Renato Veiga would command the midfield area, and the attack would be as intimidating as it gets.

Raheem Sterling, the scorer of 20 goals for England, would hold the right flank, Bayern Munich's target, Christopher Nkunku, would play on the opposite side, while the rumoured Man United reinforcement, Nicolas Jackson, would be the centre-forward.

Where do you think this lineup would rank in the Premier League?