The Blues, under Enzo Maresca, clinched a Champions League spot with a tense 1-0 victory over Nottingham Forest on the final day of the Premier League season, securing fourth place behind Liverpool, Arsenal, and Manchester City.

They capped the campaign in style, thrashing Real Betis 4-1 to claim the Conference League title and complete a European treble alongside their prior Champions League and Europa League triumphs.

BlueCo's strategy of investing in young talent appears to be paying off, but former Arsenal defender Martin Keown remains skeptical about the long-term vision. "You need balance in your squad in terms of the age," Keown told talkSPORT.

"I'm not sure about the model. I thought the club were doing exceptionally well for many years. Five Premier Leagues they won in the Abramovich era. And I felt the club went backwards in an endeavor to go forwards."

Keown highlighted the instability, noting, "They spent billions, going round in circles, five different managers, Graham Potter given a five-year deal, out of the door in months. There's been a lot of instability in the club, lots of young players coming in."

He added a bombshell prediction: "I'm not totally convinced. I think Cole Palmer will be sold at some point because he's such a wonderful talent, and I think maybe this becomes more of a selling club, which the fans are not used to."

Chelsea have already moved in the market, signing striker Liam Delap from Ipswich Town after his 12-goal haul in the Premier League last season.

Keown praised the move but questioned its impact, stating, "Not dissimilar to Arsenal, they need someone else to come in there (centre-forward), and Liam Delap's going to be a nice signing for them. Is he actually experienced enough to take them to another level? Will he even play? Because Nicolas Jackson isn't all that bad, and when he was out for long periods, he was a big miss."

The Blues are also eyeing additional firepower, with links to Eintracht Frankfurt's Hugo Ekitike and RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko, a target also on Arsenal's radar. A left winger remains a priority, with Borussia Dortmund's Jamie Gittens high on their list, while they weigh a permanent move for Jadon Sancho, currently on loan from Manchester United.

However, departures are expected to dominate headlines. According to The Guardian, 14 players are available for transfer, including attackers Christopher Nkunku and Joao Felix, the latter fresh off a loan at Milan.

Goalkeepers Robert Sanchez and Djordje Petrovic are on the market, while defenders Renato Veiga, Ben Chilwell, and Axel Disasi have fallen out of favor. Wesley Fofana's injury concerns make offers for him hard to refuse, and Chelsea tried to offload Trevoh Chalobah last summer. Midfielders Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Carney Chukwuemeka, and Lesley Ugochukwu have failed to impress, and winger Noni Madueke is also on the list. Raheem Sterling, with two years left on a lucrative deal, has no future at the club after a lackluster loan at Arsenal.

As Chelsea prepare for the Champions League and the Club World Cup, Maresca and the squad face a defining summer, balancing incoming talent with a potential exodus. Will the Blues build on their European success, or are they poised to become a selling club, as Keown fears? Time will tell.

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