Chelsea's transfer ban partially upheld

Chelsea's transfer ban has been partially upheld by FIFA, which confirmed the Premier League club will not be able to sign senior players for the next two transfer windows.

Chelsea are however able to sign minors, with FIFA not seeing it fit to prevent young players from joining the first team, saying "The FIFA Appeal Committee decided that, as far as youth categories are concerned, the ban shall not cover the registration of minor players under the age of 16 who do not fall under the scope of art. 19 of the Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players, which refers to international transfers and first registrations of foreign minor players."

The ban of senior players joining Chelsea in both this Summer's window and the January window is likely to see players such as Eden Hazard depart the club, whilst loanees Gonzalo Higuain and Mateo Kovacic will not be able to stay at Stamford Bridge beyond the end of the season.

Chelsea do have a wide variety of loan players who will return next season, with the likes of Mason Mount, Tammy Abraham and Fikayo Tomori all having stellar seasons with their respective clubs for the season. These players could be required for Chelsea next season, in what may turn out to be a blessing in disguise for the London club. 

Chelsea have also signed Christian Pulisic, who will arrive as planned in July.