Nicolas Jackson and Liam Delap among TWELVE players training away from Chelsea first-team with futures unclear

LIAM DELAP and Nicolas Jackson are training separately from the main Chelsea squad with their futures unclear. A group of up to 12 Blues players are working away from Xabi Alonso‘s main squad, either ahead of moves away or as they build up fitness. Nicolas Jackson and Liam Delap are training away from the main squad Credit: Getty Both Jackson and Delap could depart the club permanently this summer Credit: Getty Having been heavily criticised for their ‘bomb squad’ approach in recent seasons, which saw Raheem Sterling and Axel Disasi training alone last term, the club have changed things up this year. Alonso insisted there would not be a repeat of the ‘bomb squad’ and, after consultation with the Professional Footballers’ Association last year and a period of what the club called self-reflection over the summer, a decision was made to change their approach. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! Play Dream Team this season! £100,000 in prize money up for grabs in 2026/27 Free to enter Play in Mini Leagues against your mates £60,000 jackpot for the overall winner £1,000 prize for winning Gameweek 1 PLAY DREAM TEAM NOW! Delap, Jackson and others in the group, which has also included new arrivals Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck as they work back to fitness, are training on first team pitches at the same time as Alonso’s squad. They are not, however, involved in the main session. Last season Sterling posted to show he was training alone in the evening while, before joining West Ham on loan, Disasi would train at times with the academy. Without European football this season, Chelsea know they need to reduce the size of their squad – with 41 players listed in the senior squad on the club’s website. Chelsea currently have six strikers on their books but want to end with window with just three, meaning Jackson and Delap could both depart this summer. There is Premier League interest in both, with Everton admirers of Delap, valued at £50million and Aston Villa have expressed interest in Jackson, who Chelsea want a £65m fee for. SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET UP TO £100 BONUS Marc Guiu is also expected to depart, with Joao Pedro, Welbeck and Emmanuel Emegha expected to be Alonso’s trio for the season. Most read in Sport Tosin Adarabioyo and Disasi are part of the separate group, which also includes some young players destined for a loan move away. Enzo Fernandez, who has pushed for a move away, is part of Alonso’s main training group, although a sale this summer is yet to be ruled out. Chelsea set a self-imposed deadline of last Friday for bids at their £120m asking price, but would still consider a sale if a club returned with an acceptable offer – now thought to be above that mark. Manchester City remain interested in the Argentina international but have yet to lodge a formal bid. Comment now