Chelsea have officially announced the departure of five players—Lucas Bergstrom, Teddy Sharman-Lowe, Dylan Williams, Harrison Murray-Campbell, and Charlie Webster—following the expiration of their contracts on July 1, 2025.
This marks a significant move in manager Enzo Maresca’s ongoing efforts to reshape the squad ahead of the 2025/26 Premier League season.
The players released are primarily youth prospects who have yet to establish themselves in the senior team.
Their exit reflects Maresca’s broader strategy of streamlining the roster to make room for new high-profile signings and returning loanees, as Chelsea aims to improve upon their fourth-place league finish and UEFA Conference League title win last season.
Among the departures, Finnish goalkeeper Lucas Bergstrom is arguably the most notable. At 22, he had been a regular name on the bench during Chelsea’s Conference League campaign, although he did not make a senior appearance for the club.
Fellow goalkeeper Teddy Sharman-Lowe, also 22, leaves after loan spells with Burton Albion and Leyton Orient. Left-back Dylan Williams, aged 21, also moves on following a stint on loan at Burton Albion.
Midfielder Charlie Webster, 21, who previously had loan experiences with Heerenveen in the Netherlands and Burton Albion, joins the list of released players.
Lastly, 20-year-old central defender Harrison Murray-Campbell, once an England U17 international, exits the club without breaking into the first team, despite occasional involvement in senior training sessions.
Interestingly, Maresca has shown a willingness to incorporate young talent into his plans, as evidenced by Tyrique George and Josh Acheampong featuring in Conference League fixtures last season.
However, the release of these five players indicates a shift in focus toward more immediate impact from seasoned recruits and top-tier young talents.
To that end, Chelsea has already made several marquee signings this summer, including Liam Delap from Ipswich for £30 million, Joao Pedro from Brighton for £60 million, Jamie Gittens from Borussia Dortmund for £50 million, and Brazilian wonderkid Estevao Willian from Palmeiras for £51 million.
A major deal for Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, valued at £84.5 million, is also reportedly close to completion.
In addition to these new acquisitions, Chelsea will also welcome back promising loanees such as Andrey Santos and Mamadou Sarr, aiming to bolster squad depth in both midfield and defense.
The influx of talent is designed to position Chelsea as serious contenders for the Premier League title and make a strong return to the UEFA Champions League.
Fan reaction on social media platform X has been mixed. Some, like @CFCNews, expressed regret over Bergstrom’s departure but acknowledged Maresca’s ambitious rebuilding, stating, “Sad to see Bergstrom go, but Maresca’s building a monster squad!”
Others, like @BlueArmyFan, were more pragmatic, supporting the decision: “Clearing out deadwood makes sense—Osimhen and Gittens are game-changers.”
These exits are also financially strategic, helping the club comply with UEFA’s Financial Sustainability regulations by reducing the wage bill. Speculation continues around additional high-profile departures, including Raheem Sterling and Christopher Nkunku, which could further free up resources.
With Champions League qualification and Club World Cup earnings boosting club revenue to £287 million, Chelsea appears well-funded and ready for a competitive season. Fans will get their first glimpse of the revamped squad when the Blues face Crystal Palace on August 17.
