Our Chelsea fans here inside the Transfer Tavern are expecting a busy month in the transfer market, hopefully looking to capitalise on their recent upturn in form and run Man City close in order to regain their title. As you can imagine, the Blues in our bar are baying for blood.
Although Antonio Conte might have a bit of work to do already, with David Luiz and Michy Batshuayi likely to be shown the exit door after falling out with the manager and poor form in the first half of the season. Indeed, the Italian has seemingly left the door open for the duo to depart, should they wish.
Our punters believe that the Italian really needs to bring in some strength in depth to the team, as he’s mainly dealt with a threadbare squad this season. Still, before bringing players in, our regulars have been discussing a couple of possible departures before he freshens things up with a few new faces.
Chelsea are currently sitting comfortably in the top four and it’s likely between them and Man Utd to either give City a challenge or fight it out for second place.
Either way, our landlord thinks if Luiz and Batshuayi both leave, here are two players likely to follow them in order to release funds for further transfers in…
Matej Delac
Surprisingly Chelsea’s longest-serving player has never made a single appearance for the Blues, having been loaned out to seemingly every team in Europe over his seven years with the club.
With his contract expiring at the end of the season, Chelsea may look to offload the goalkeeper to recoup some of the money they’ve spent on wages. Alongside falling down the pecking order, there’s really not much point in keeping the Croatian at the club with having two other back up keepers under Courtois.
Baba Rahman
The failed signing under former boss Jose Mourinho has played a bit-part role before being loaned out and, after the arrival of Marcos Alonso, the left-back has seen himself fall down the pecking order.
Billed as the next big African to grace the Stamford Bridge pitch, following in the footsteps of Micheal Essien, things haven’t turned out like he thought they might and a move away for first-team action may be the answer.
