Chelsea confirm midfield departure as 13 released to begin Mauricio Pochettino squad overhaul

Chelsea have confirmed Tiemoue Bakayoko has left the club after six years in west London.

Mauricio Pochettino‘s side’s retained and released list was revealed and Bakayoko, who joined in 2017 from AS Monaco, was the key departure ahead of the 2023/24 season.

Bakayoko, who won the FA Cup with Chelsea in his first season at the club under Antonio Conte, made 43 appearances for Chelsea in all competitions.

During his spell at Chelsea, Bakayoko spent time out on loan at Napoli, AS Monaco and AC Milan, where he spent the 2022/23 campaign.

The 28-year-old has been released a year early, with his deal at Chelsea originally due to run until June 2024.

Bakayoko is among 13 Chelsea players to be released. Nathan Baxter, Henry Lawrence and Dujon Sterling are among those who will leave at the end of the month.

Full list of released players

Derrick Abu

Prince Adegoke

Tiemoue Bakayoko

Nathan Baxter

Juan Familia-Castillo

Bryan Fiabema

Joe Haigh

Henry Lawrence

Sam McClelland

Dujon Sterling

Silko-Amari Otieno Thomas

Ethan Wady

Jayden Wareham