XI.

Therefore, according to The Athletic, several squad members have expressed their desire to leave the club this summer. But, the majority of them have signed long-term deals with the Premier League giants.

A source close to the first XI said several players were told they were going to be 'key' to the 'exciting new Chelsea project' during their contract negotiations. However, they have hardly featured for the Blues this season.

The longevity of their deals will make it harder for them to leave the club. This is said to have irritated several players and caused an unwanted atmosphere among the Chelsea squad.

Chelsea's failure to qualify for the Champions League has caused another issue within the squad as owners Boehly and Clearlake Capital implemented a bonus structure to player contracts linked to Champions League qualification that would see their wages fluctuate depending on whether they were playing in the competition.

It was a significant move away from the ownership era of Roman Abramovich, who only rewarded players for winning trophies.

Mail Sport understands the club's most recent signings, or those who have agreed new contracts, will see their earning power slashed by at least 30 per cent. Sources have indicated that figure could be as high as 50 per cent.

The decision to enforce an incentivised salary structure was designed to motivate players - but it also provides Chelsea with a degree of protection against the financial shortfall incurred by the failure to qualify for the hugely lucrative Champions League.

To make matters worse, some members of the squad are not affected by such cutbacks because they signed their deals while under the former ownership or before the above was implemented.

Raheem Sterling and Kalidou Koulibaly are among those who will not be affected as they signed for the club before the salary structure was adopted.

The Athletic's source has said the difference in contracts is causing a rift in the team.