Chelsea have made “five defenders available for sale” according to the Times journalist Gary Jacob. Manager Frank Lampard is very frustrated by the club’s poor defensive record this season and is keen on overhauling his backline.

Four players, Marcos Alonso, Emerson Palmieri, Andreas Christensen and Kurt Zouma will all be allowed to leave, although the identity of the fifth is not known.

Lampard is also said to be willing to listen to offers for the likes of Ross Barkley, Tiemoue Bakayoko and Michy Batshuayi, while N’Golo Kante could also be made available for the right price following an injury-ravaged campaign.

Kepa Arrizabalaga is available on loan with the Blues making plans to sign his replacement. Ben Chilwell is still the main priority for the left-back role, although it remains to be seen who else will be brought in. Quite a few more recruits will be needed if Lampard gets his way in terms of outgoings.