15 cut-price players Chelsea can target this summer to fix Enzo Maresca's biggest problems

There is still work to be done and plenty of time to achieve Enzo Maresca's ultimate target of winning silverware in his Chelsea project.

As disappointing as a drop-off in form has been when it looked at one point this season the Blues could unexpectedly challenge for the Premier League, it is not the be-all and end-all.

So, there is still honour to be fought for in a top-four finish and a first trophy in the Europa Conference League. Once those tasks are completed, the club look ahead to the next step of their evolution using the transfer market.

Looking at Maresca's squad, there will certainly be some chopping and changing to do once the summer window opens.

And whilst Todd Boehly and Co. have so often waved huge sums in the faces of selling clubs for their best talent in recent years, the largest amount of money is not exactly the answer to every single problem.

Instead that requires a thought out strategy, looking at players who can make the difference whilst getting the best deal possible.

To that end, there are plenty of global stars edging closer to the end of their contracts in 2026 that may force clubs to cash in with a year to spare rather than risk losing out with no fee recouped.

The first order will be to sign a goalkeeper as first-choice Robert Sanchez has proven too often he is capable of costly mistakes.

Chelsea may look elsewhere for their ideal man, but they know Paris Saint-Germain will be evaluating Gianluigi Donnarumma's future, as will AC Milan with Mike Maignan.

At only 25 the former has nine years of experience at the top level of Serie A and Ligue 1. That equates to 391 senior appearances at club level, 70 also for his country.

Eight trophies have been won in that time and the Blues will know, experience of lifting silverware will be invaluable when added to the current, youthful squad.

Time my not be on Maignan's side compared to Donnarumma as he reaches 30 this summer, yet amongst European goalkeepers has one of the best clean sheet ratios at 41.7 percent this season.

Whilst football.londonreported last November the club have no interest in Liverpool's Caoimhin Kelleher, the Irish goalkeeper is another who is out of contract next year and could be sold for a lower price as a result.

What's more, his exit from Anfield would appear to be certain with Giorgi Mamardashvili's arrival from Valencia already planned.

Elsewhere, looking for central defensive cover Marc Guehi is another name who has already been on Chelsea's radar. Also attracting previous interest from Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur, his expiring contract could drive down the price to begin with but a bidding war could just as easily drive it up again.

That is why alternatives are important, at which the Blues could look at two from La Liga.

Real Madrid are in dire need of a defensive overhaul with injuries plundering their chances of easily lifting the Spanish title, or even the Champions League yet again.

Antonio Rudiger has hardly been the problem yet an offer of money could be tempting for Madrid when they would otherwise lose the player in 2026, as things stand.

A return to Stamford Bridge for the no-nonsense German could be a smart move for the right price and correct the past mistake of selling every player from the last successful team this club possessed.

If the ownership do not like the age profile of Rudiger, then Eric Garcia could be the answer instead.

A product of Manchester City's academy, since playing for Barcelona. He hasn't always had a starting role but is good enough to play for the Spanish giants so must be good enough for Chelsea too.

In fact, he was so valued that manager Hansi Flick blocked his exit this past winter for his performances, after being reinstated to the team.

Maresca can have little issue with the midfield talent at his disposal so that only leaves the attack force. With Noni Madueke injured and Mykhailo Mudryk's future a complete unknown, football.london reported a winger as being on the list of targets.

In particular, Manchester United's Alejandro Garnacho was of greatest interest but would cost as much as £60m.

With talent found in other clubs at a much lower price, the choice is left to Chelsea. With Premier League contracts expiring in 2026, Brentford duo Bryan Mbeumo and Yoanne Wissa are proven, consistent goalscorers and would not take much to settle.

Sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley could also use their expertise of Brighton to snag Simon Adringa, 23, from the Seagulls one year before his deal is up.

Or perhaps another reunion is in store? Callum Hudson-Odoi, relinquished to Nottingham Forest for only £5m in 2023, appears to have escaped the injury woes that plagued his Stamford Bridge career.

Now a firm part of Nuno Espirito Santo's team storming their way to an unlikely top-four finish, the 24-year-old has his so-called 'prime years' to come and could find a return to his roots opening with opportune timing.

Across Europe, other wingers with that key blend of youth and experience with deals running out are Ademola Lookman with Atalanta and Johan Bakayoko with PSV Eindhoven.

Lastly, a striker. Maresca would not be under so much pressure at present if he had at least one of Nicolas Jackson or Marc Guiu fit and ready for duty.

Linked summers ago, Dusan Vlahovic does not have long left at Juventus. The Serbian international may be a different profile to favoured option Jackson, but that can hardly be a bad thing for a club that accepts victory and nothing else, no matter how it comes.

Otherwise again, the Premier League would be the best place to look as rivals remain on track to lose out.

Just a short distance away, Crystal Palace talisman Jean-Philippe Mateta is yet to pin his future down at Selhurst Park. With 11 goals added to the 16 he managed last season, the 27-year-old is proving to be one of the strongest and most consistent finishers in the country.

Fulham face the same issue with Rodrigo Muniz. At 23, the Brazilian is still learning the trade but has already displayed credentials in popping up with important strikes in his young career.