OFFICIAL: 15 Superstars Leaving the Big Six of the English Premier League

Both Chelsea and Tottenham have released their roster purges for the upcoming 2026/27 campaign, confirming that 15 footballers must seek alternative destinations.

On the eve of the new 2026/27 season, two clubs from the Big Six group of the English Premier League —Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur—have officially unveiled their clearance lists after a turbulent campaign. A total of 15 names have been confirmed to leave London once their contracts expire at the end of June.

At Stamford Bridge, Chelsea announced farewells to four young players from the prestigious Cobham academy. This move is part of a drastic restructuring by the board following a highly disappointing season, where the Blues finished 10th in the Premier League and ended empty-handed in all European competitions.

The most notable departure is defender Richard Olise, younger brother of Bayern Munich star Michael Olise. Despite being promoted to the first team for the 2024/25 UEFA Conference League, Richard failed to make a breakthrough.

The other three players include promising midfielder Sam Rak-Sakyi (who made four European appearances), defender Brodi Hughes after 13 years at the academy, and Finnish youth international Jimi Tauriainen.

Meanwhile, in North London, Tottenham Hotspur executed an even harsher purge by removing a total of 11 players from the squad. The biggest star forced to leave Hotspur Way in disappointment is 29-year-old defensive midfielder Yves Bissouma.

The Malian midfielder was once a hero, playing the full 90 minutes as Spurs defeated Manchester United to win the 2024/25 Europa League. However, his career at the club ended following a series of disciplinary scandals off the pitch.

Bissouma repeatedly angered new head coach Thomas Frank with his habit of arriving late to training, leading to his exclusion from the European Super Cup and the Champions League squad list.

The tipping point came when he was twice caught using nitrous oxide (laughing gas) on social media, despite pleading mental health crises after burglaries at his home. With only 11 appearances all season, Bissouma's release had been widely anticipated.

Alongside the Malian star, Tottenham also thoroughly cleaned out their youth ranks, releasing a series of academy talents, including the U18 trio of Jamel Beggs, Samal Bangura, and Leon Myrtaj, as the club prepares for a new chapter.