Chelsea release THIRTEEN players including £42m forgotten man as club begins clearout before Pochettino arrive |

Chelsea have released 13 players to kick start their summer purge under Mauricio Pochettino.

And the list has seen £40million flop Tiemoue Bakayoko let go. Meanwhile, Chelsea are closing in on the deal for Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo as player reportedly agrees personal terms.

Bakayoko signed for Chelsea from Monaco in 2017 but failed to make the grade.

A number of loan moves followed, including moves back to Monaco and to the Serie A with AC Milan and Napoli.

Chelsea’s statement on the Frenchman’s release said: “The list of players retained by Chelsea for the 2023/24 season has been published by the Premier League, with Tiemoue Bakayoko’s departure from the club now confirmed…

“We thank Tiemoue for his contribution during his season at Stamford Bridge.”

The list also saw a host of academy stars released.

These names included Dujon Sterling, who has already sealed a move to Rangers, and Nathan Baxter.

Elsewhere, teenagers Derrick Abu, Prince Adegoke and Silko Thomas were let go.