Phil Jagielka is the latest Premier League observer to question Chelsea's current recruitment strategy.
The Blues have famously added several players in each of the transfer windows since Todd Boehly took over ownership of the club in 2022, with many of the new acquisitions given long-term contracts. That has caused the squad size to balloon as players cannot be easily moved on, and stalwarts such as Raheem Sterling and Ben Chilwell have found themselves on the outside looking in.
For Jagielka, who played 15 seasons in the Premier League, Chelsea's approach is similar to how teams used to deal with unwanted players with bad attitudes. The longtime former Everton defender suggests that there has to be a better way to deal with the players deemed surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge.
"I think it's just insane the way Chelsea are doing it," Jagielka told Betway. "It's basically, if they don't want you, then you're not allowed to train with the first team.
"That used to happen to the real bad eggs in your changing room, the ones you didn't want there because they were upsetting the apple cart. Most of the ones they want to potentially get out the door are on nine-year contracts, so it's not really going to happen.
"I don't understand how they’re doing it. Surely there's got to be a better way."
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