EUR KIDDING

CHELSEA’S less than stellar season may end up being summarised best by the lack of stars who go to the Euro 2024 this summer.

Despite splashing out £1billion on new talent the Blues find themselves 11th in the Premier League table, 14 points behind 5th place Tottenham.

This includes a host of talent from Europe – though some of the most pricey purchases such as Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez hail from South America.

Despite the huge outlay, Chelsea may have just four players heading to Germany for the Euros this summer, potentially fewer than Bournemouth and Fulham.

The likes of Cole Palmer, Conor Gallagher and Ben Chilwell are all expected to be named in Gareth Southgate’s England squad, while goalkeeper Djorde Petrovic has been involved in the last couple Serbia squads.

But that might be it.

In comparison, Marco Silva’s Cottagers and Andoni Iraola’s Cherries both have five players who are expected to make the cut for their national teams at the Euros, including stars such as Joao Palhinha and Philip Billing.

However, there is a chance more Chelsea players will be on the plane to Germany this summer.

Raheem Sterling has now not been called up to an England team since the 2022 World Cup, but the former Southgate favourite could still be in the frame.

Also in with a shout are Levi Colwill, who is currently sidelined with a return date unclear, while Reece James faces a race against time to be fit before the end of the season.

Chelsea’s French contingent led by Christopher Nkunku have also been struggling with injury this term.

A squad as competitive as France can afford to lose the considerable talents of Nkunku without being too heavily impacted.

Fringe players such as Axel Disasi missed out on the lastest squad, while the likes of Benoit Badiashile, Lesley Ugochukwu and Wesley Fofana have all struggled with injury.

Even in the Belgium camp, Roméo Lavia has missed out through injury.

Ukraine star Mykhailo Mudryk has been in and out of Chelsea’s team this season, and while he is a mainstay when fit for his nation, they face a challenge to qualify.

Mudryk and Co face Bosnia Herzegovina in the playoff semi-final and before a final against the winner of Israel and Iceland.

Manchester City are expected to have as many as 14 players going to the tournament, six more than the next highest teams in Arsenal and Manchester United, according to research from BetFootball.com.

Beaten FA Cup quarter-finalists Liverpool are set to have six along with Tottenham – Sun.