MAURICIO POCHETTINO has named his 25-man Chelsea Premier League squad – and he has axed a £100,000-a-week star.
However, a player that suffered relegation from League One last season has made the cut.
PAChelsea’s Malang Sarr has been snubbed from their Premier League squad[/caption]
GettyGoalkeeper Jamie Cumming has made the cut[/caption]
The Blues and rest of the top-flight clubs have had to submit their 25 men eligible to play in the first half of the campaign as well as a list of U21 aces.
Teams are not allowed to include over 17 foreign players, with the remaining eight spots having to go to those that qualify as homegrown.
New summer signings Moises Caicedo, Romeo Lavia, Robert Sanchez, Djordje Petrovic, Axel Disasi, Lesley Ugochukwu, Cole Palmer, Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson are all included.
However, one player that Pochettino had awkwardly seemed to forget was even at the club last month has failed to make the cut.
During the post-match press conference after the win over Luton Town, the Chelsea boss was quizzed by a reporter: “I just wanted to ask about two players who have disappeared. Malang Sarr, who was on loan last season.”
To which Pochettino questioned: “Who?”
The reporter continued: “Malang Sarr, and what has happened to Jamie Cummings who played the game against Wrexham [in the preseason]?”
Pochettino appeared to be confused as he said: “Oh my goodness.”
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“Malana Sarr and then Jamie? I don’t know what I can tell you.”
Sarr, 24, is a former French U21 international who arrived at Chelsea from Nice in 2020.
He spent last term on loan at Monaco and started just six Premier League games in his first season playing for the Blues.
He is now down the pecking order when it comes to Chelsea‘s options at centre-back – although it is understood that he has also struggled to attract interest from other clubs.
Despite pocketing £100,000-a-week and being under contract until 2025, he is now looking at the prospect of no top-flight football until at least January after being snubbed by Poch.
However, there was better news for 24-year-old Cummings as he made the squad.
The goalkeeper came through the Blues academy and has had spells out at Stevenage and Gillingham before suffering relegation with MK Dons in League One last season.