Neither Fernández nor Cucurella featured in the launch video or accompanying images, a conspicuous absence given that both are senior squad members. It has not gone unnoticed among supporters, who have taken the omission as a strong signal that the club does not expect either player to still be at Stamford Bridge next season.
Fernández, the Argentina midfielder who joined Chelsea from Benfica in January 2023 for a club-record fee of around £107m, has made clear his desire to leave. Real Madrid, Manchester City, and Paris Saint-Germain have all been tracking the 24-year-old.
Chelsea's position is that they do not want to sell and have placed a valuation of £120m on the player. There is, however, a private acknowledgement within the club that if Fernández forces the issue, they may have no choice but to facilitate a departure.
Cucurella, the Spain left-back who arrived from Brighton & Hove Albion for around £62m in 2022, has drawn interest from Atletico Madrid and Barcelona. Chelsea are expected to seek a similar fee to what they paid for him if a sale goes ahead.
The kit launch omission mirrors a tactic that clubs sometimes use deliberately — and occasionally inadvertently — to signal to the market that a player is available. Whether intentional or not in this case, the outcome is the same: both players' futures are now firmly in question, and the clubs circling them will take note.
Chelsea finished a difficult season in mid-table and face a significant squad restructure under their new management this summer.