Chelsea fans in the Transfer Tavern were shocked this morning when one punter pointed out an interesting story in The Guardian, which states the Blues could lose a vast number of crucial players this year.
With the likely lack of Champions League football next season beginning to take effect, Chelsea are at huge risk of seeing some of their biggest players walk as they seek to continue plying their trade at the pinnacle of European competition.
It makes a daunting task for the next Chelsea boss even more challenging, as Chelsea need a massive shake-up to their underperforming squad this summer- and the loss of key-players could end up leading to a huge squad overhaul.
Chelsea fans are concerned that losing these key-players will leave them significantly short heading into the next campaign and that they will be unable to replace their biggest names, with the potential losses of Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois being particularly distressing.
As one fan pointed out though, this could just be the beginning of their downfall as he’s identified five other players he expects to be leaving imminently.
Hit Hazard below to see FIVE players who could follow him out of Chelsea!
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Diego Costa
After helping the Blues storm to the Premier League title in his inaugural season in English football, Diego Costa has failed to replicate that form this term and has been increasingly criticised for his brutish approach to the game- which has seen him handed a number of hefty bans.
With the Spaniard unreliable in front of goal, and always close to over stepping the mark, Chelsea may accept the departure of the forward- and a return to Atletico Madrid is most likely, though their transfer ban imposed by FIFA presents an issue.
Costa would have to arrive this month in order to be eligible for Atletico’s 2016/17 campaign and Chelsea will be reluctant to approve a sale, with striker’s of a certain pedigree extremely difficult to come by in the mid-season window.
Oscar
Another top player extremely likely to leave Stamford Bridge at the end of the season is Oscar, who has attracted Juventus’ interest since the summer. With no Champions League football to keep the Brazilian happy, he’s expected to make the jump to Turin.
Oscar has underperformed this season but he’s still just 24, meaning he has plenty of years ahead of him at the highest level. Rather than build their midfield around him though, the loss of Oscar could shatter Chelsea’s future significantly.
Replacing a player of Oscar’s calibre would be extremely difficult and expensive, whilst nigh-impossible without Champions League football.
Cesc Fabregas
The pantomime villain in the fiasco that led to Jose Mourinho’s dismissal, Cesc Fabregas has lost the love of the Chelsea fans. As a former Arsenal captain, he was always treading a fine line at Stamford Bridge and this season may have pushed him over the mark.
On top of this, Fabregas’ performances this term have been far less than what is expected of the former Barcelona midfielder and Chelsea may accept a sale whilst they can still get a reasonable price. Even if they’re reluctant to do so, Fabregas may push for a move and Champions League football.
Where he ends up is anyone’s guess but with many fans disgusted with him, there doesn’t seem to be a way back for the Spaniard.
Loic Remy
The player most likely to leave this month is French international forward Loic Remy, who has never really enjoyed a consistent spell in the Chelsea squad. Playing second-fiddle to Diego Costa has taken it’s toll and despite a fairly reasonable scoring record, the lack of starting opportunities has left Remy frustrated.
With his hopes of making France’s European Championship squad hanging by a thread, Remy wants a move to give himself a fair shot. Chelsea are willing to accept his departure but only if they can get a replacement in, which could prove to be tricky.
There’s not many strikers available this month and the lure of Chelsea isn’t as strong as it used to be.
Radamel Falcao
If any player optimises Chelsea’s fall from greatness this season it’s Radamel Falcao, a player once touted as the best striker in world football who can count his goals from two years in England on one hand. It’s been a nightmare for Falcao.
Chelsea wanted to send the Colombian back to Monaco this month but the French side didn’t accept a deal, with Falcao currently injured, and the wage burden he puts on the Blues could severely damage any incoming transfer business.
Come the summer though, he will certainly be gone and is unlikely to be seen in England again.
