Chelsea
have confirmed the departures of forwards Radamel Falcao and Alexandre Pato
at the end of their loan deals, while goalkeeper Marco Amelia will also
leave Stamford Bridge.
Falcao joined the Blues on a season-long deal from Monaco last summer
following a temporary spell at Manchester United, but the 30-year-old
Colombia international struggled to make an impact with just 12 appearances
as he was hampered by injury setbacks.
Pato was signed from Corinthians in January but the Brazilian also had
fitness issues and made only two first-team appearances under interim
manager Guus Hiddink.
Italian Amelia, 34, was signed by Chelsea on a short-term contract in
October to provide cover for then injured goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
A statement published on Chelsea's official website on Friday morning read:
"With contracts having come to an end, we today say farewell to three
players who were part of the squad during last season - Falcao, Pato and
Marco Amelia.
"Chelsea Football Club thanks the players for their contributions and wishes
them success in the future."
New manager Antonio Conte is set to take up his role at Stamford Bridge when
Italy's Euro 2016 campaign ends.
He is already working on replacements for Falcao and Pato up front with the
Blues close to securing the £33m transfer of Belgium striker Michy Batshuayi
from Marseille after the 22-year-old passed a medical.
Chelsea this week also announced new scholars for the 2016/2017 season, who
include midfielder Juan Familia-Castillo, who joins the club from Ajax where
he captained the U16 side as well as representing the Netherlands.
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