Chelsea expiring contracts: Who is free to leave next summer and in 2026?

However, there have been squad members who have not been presented with extended deals, some more surprising than not.

Here, Sports Mole takes a look at the players whose contracts either expire in 2025 or 2026.

Which Chelsea players are out of contract next summer?

Conor Gallagher

Age: 24

Position: Midfielder

Transfer value: £42.5m

Joined: 2019

Joining fee: Academy graduate

Chelsea appearances: 95

Chelsea goals: 10

Honours

Europa League (1): 2018-19

Conor Gallagher has just completed his second full season in the Chelsea senior ranks, playing a starring role in central midfield and earning praise from the club's supporters.

However, despite the impact that he has made both on and off the pitch, Boehly and co are currently reluctant to hand the England international a new contract, instead wanting to try to cash in on his signature to boost Chelsea's position with the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules.

Malang Sarr

Age: 25

Position: Centre-back

Transfer value: £3.4m

Joined: August 27, 2020

Joining fee: Free

Chelsea appearances: 21

Chelsea goals: 0

Honours

FIFA Club World Cup (1): 2021

The situation concerning Malang Sarr is somewhat bizarre. The Frenchman played an important squad role under Thomas Tuchel during 2021-22, yet has not played for Chelsea since.

Sarr returned from a loan spell at Monaco ahead of 2023-24, but there have been no sightings of the defender in almost a year. Departing by mutual consent over the coming months is a distinct possibility.

Kepa Arrizabalaga

Age: 29

Position: Goalkeeper

Transfer value: £10.2m

Joined: August 8, 2018

Joining fee: £71.6m

Chelsea appearances: 163

Chelsea clean sheets: 59

Honours

Champions League (2): 2020-21, 2023-24

Europa League (1): 2018-19

FIFA Club World Cup (1): 2021

UEFA Super Cup (1): 2021

La Liga (1): 2023-24

Supercopa de Espana (1): 2023-24

UEFA Nations League (1): 2022-23

Kepa Arrizabalaga had hoped that a season-long loan switch to Real Madrid would ultimately lead to a permanent switch to the Bernabeu.

However, losing his place midway through the season has led to the Spain international returning to his parent club with Chelsea ready to cash in on his signature as soon as possible.

Which Chelsea players are out of contract in 2026?

Romelu Lukaku

Age: 31

Position: Forward

Transfer value: £25.5m

Joined: 2021

Joining fee: £97.5

Chelsea appearances: 44

Chelsea goals: 15

Honours

Serie A (1): 2020-21

Club World Cup (1): 2021

Coppa Italia (1): 2022-23

Supercoppa Italiana (1): 2022

Belgian Pro League (1): 2009-10

Romelu Lukaku's Chelsea career has been over for some time, yet the Blues have been unable to find a buyer for the Belgium international.

With two years left on his contract, Chelsea are desperate to sell, yet it remains to be seen whether the former Inter Milan and Roma loanee will attract a suitable bid.

Alfie Gilchrist

Age: 20

Position: Defender

Transfer value: £4.25m

Joined: 2014

Joining fee: Academy graduate

Chelsea appearances: 17

Chelsea goals: 1

Honours

No silverware won.

Up until December, Alfie Gilchrist had not made a single appearance as a professional, yet the academy graduate would prove to be a valuable squad member during the second half of the campaign.

Although Chelsea officials have agreed a new contract with the versatile defender, a loan move is expected to be put in place for the 20-year-old.

Marcus Bettinelli

Age: 32

Position: Goalkeeper

Transfer value: £850,000

Joined: 20121

Joining fee: Free

Chelsea appearances: 1

Chelsea clean sheets: 0

Honours

FIFA Club World Cup (1): 2021

Championship playoffs (2): 2018, 2020

Marcus Bettinelli has spent the last three years as the perfect clubman at Chelsea, acting as third-choice goalkeeper with minimal fuss.

The 31-year-old may, at some stage, want first-team football elsewhere, but for now, another campaign in his current role appears to be more likely than not.