Chelsea agree to sell ’bomb squad’ player to Steven Gerrard’s Saudi Pro League team
Two more players from Chelsea’s ‘bomb squad’ are reportedly on the verge of leaving the club as Enzo Maresca continues his ruthless clear out.
It’s been another busy summer of incomings and outgoings at Stamford Bridge which looks set to get even more frantic in the last few days of the transfer window.
Chelsea are in the process of trying to sell off 14 unwanted stars, dubbed the ‘bomb squad’, all of whom have been brutally exiled from first-team training by Maresca.
Great progress has been made in the sales of big-money flops Kepa Arrizabalaga and Romelu Lukaku who look set to join Bournemouth and Napoli respectively.
And it now seems that two young stars once tipped for a bright future in west London are on the verge of joining them out the door.
Tino Anjorin has sealed a move to Serie A side Empoli and Chelsea have inserted whopping 50 per cent sell-on clause in his contract.
Moreover, The Athletic report that the Blues have agreed a fee with Steven Gerrard’s Al-Ettifaq for Harvey Vale.
Tino Anjorin was highly-rated by Thomas Tuchel but last played for Chelsea in 2021 (Photo: Getty)
It remains to be seen however whether the promising 20-year-old wants to sign for the Saudi Pro League team amid interest from clubs in England and around Europe.
The midfield duo, who both have a year left on their contracts, have each made just five appearances for Chelsea’s senior team, spending much of their career out on loan.
It will be an emotional departure for Anjorin who first joined the club’s Under-7s team way back in 2008.
‘From the first day, I was very impressed because he is a very physical player. Tall guy, strong guy,’ former Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel said of the then-upcoming Anjorin in 2021.
‘He has the ability to keep the ball under pressure because he has the body for it. He has the physical ability to play and train with us at this level.
‘I feel he is very strong in finishing his training. He is a very nice character.
‘[He’s] a nice guy from the academy, another nice guy, very humble and at the same time totally focused, totally clear when you talk to him. Very self-aware. It is a pleasure to work with him.’