26 July 2023 , 00:00
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Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola was “surprised” by the Blues letting Mason Mount and Mateo Kovacic leave the club this summer.
After a number of transfer windows that saw the Londoners spend heavily under Todd Boehly, they have been forced to cut their cloth this summer. An array of first-team stars have left Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea have managed to recoup around £250m throughout the window from sales, whilst a clutch of players have also left on free transfers. Among those to have been sold include Kai Havertz, Edouard Mendy and also midfield pair Mount and Kovacic - who have joined Premier League rivals Manchester United and Manchester City.
In giving his thoughts on Chelsea’s business so far, Blues icon Zola admitted his surprise at the fact that the duo were allowed to leave. He has also encouraged the Blues and new boss Mauricio Pochettino to think carefully as they attempt to find replacements.
Speaking to talkSPORT, he said: “I am surprised to have seen so many players leaving. I was surprised to see Mason leaving, also Kovacic leaving.
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“They were very important players, not only for the quality they used to give the team but with Mason, he is one of the midfielders who could score goals. In my opinion they are a big miss.
Mason Mount left Chelsea for Manchester United earlier this summer (Getty Images)Who else do you think Chelsea should sign this summer? Share your suggestions in the comments below
“I don’t mention Kante because he was injured the whole season last season but the other two are very key players. It will be interesting to see how Pochettino can compensate for that and I am looking forward to seeing how that will deliver.”
Chelsea are already firmly on the hunt for midfield recruits despite another expensive outlay. The Blues have already bolstered their forward options with the signings of Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson from RB Leipzig and Villarreal.
Brighton star Moises Caicedo has emerged as a prime target for Pochettino but talks with the Seagulls do not appear to be going in the right direction. Brighton want £100m for the Ecuadorian having only committed him to a new contract back in March until the summer of 2027.
Seagulls boss Roberto De Zerbi has suggested that a deal could potentially be achieved should Chelsea academy graduate Levi Colwill be involved in a part exchange. Speaking earlier this month, the Italian admitted: “There are two questions. Not only about Caicedo, also about Colwill, and maybe it can be [a swap].
“I would like to play with Caicedo and Colwill together but at the moment I can only speak about Caicedo as Colwill is not one of my players.”
Colwill, 20, made 22 appearances in all competitions last term during his loan spell at the AMEX Stadium. He has just two years remaining on his current Chelsea contract.