Pochettino already clearing the decks at Chelsea as Loftus-Cheek in talks, Felix and Zakaria sent back and Sterling out

CHELSEA’S new manager Mauricio Pochettino has already started to wield the axe on his bloated squad.

Pochettino has taken over the Blues following a disastrous campaign that saw them finishing 12th with their lowest ever Premier League points tally.

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has wielded the axe on his bloated squadGetty

Chelsea have sent Joao Felix back to Atletico Madrid after his loan deal endedRex

Denis Zakaria has returned to Juventus after his Chelsea loan endedRex

The Argentinean tactician is facing a daunting task to get the West Londoners back on track and will have to start by determining which players are surplus to requirements.

Joao Felix has been sent back to Atletico Madrid after the ex-Tottenham boss decided against making his loan move a permanent deal.

Atletico president Enrique Cerezo confirmed: “The truth is that I can’t tell you the plan with Joao.

“Yesterday, we had the news that the new Chelsea manager does not want Joao Felix.

“We’ve known for less than 24 hours. He’ll come back here and we’ll see. We don’t have anything planned.”

Denis Zakaria also joined Chelsea on loan but he will be returning to his parent club as well.

According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Zakaria will return to Juventus and “assess his options”.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek could be heading to AC Milan, who are willing to pay about £20million.

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Loftus-Cheek has a year left on his current deal and the Blues are looking to offload some of their home-grown players.

This will help them comply with financial fair play rules after their mass spending over the last year.

Dujon Sterling, on the other hand, has joined Rangers after a agreeing a four-year deal with the Scottish giants.

Pochettino is expected to make even more cuts to his squad ahead of pre-season.

Mateo Kovacic, Christian Pulisic, Edouard Mendy, Hakim Ziyech, Conor Gallagher and Kalidou Koulibaly are all on the chopping block.

Chelsea ace Ruben Loftus-Cheek is on his way to AC MilanRex

Academy graduate Dujon Sterling has left Chelsea and joined RangersRex