The international break is now over to the relief of all fans of Premier League football, and perhaps none more so than Chelsea – who can now continue the countdown to what seems a certain fourth Premier League title.
Jose Mourinho’s men scraped past Hull City in a thriller last time out, and face a home game against Stoke on Saturday evening as they look to maintain their five point lead over Manchester City at the top of the table.
The game in hand at Leicester is also still to play, meaning Mourinho’s men could open up an eight point gap before City have had any time to respond – which seems unlikely given the current form Manuel Pellegrini’s men are displaying.
There is still work for Mourinho to get done in the summer however, with the Portuguese no doubt privately fuming by the manner in which his side exited the Champions League last summer.
If there are to be new arrivals, you can be sure there will be outgoings also, given the way Mourinho has established himself as the spokesperson for financial fair play in the last two years.
Blues legend Petr Cech is expected to depart having lost his first team place this season, but who else could be on their way out of Stamford Bridge?
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Click on Petr Cech to reveal five players to follow him out of Chelsea in the summer.
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Ramires
There was a point not so long ago when it seemed Ramires was undroppable in the heart of the Chelsea midfield. But the signings of Nemanja Matic and Cesc Fabregas over the past 15 months have ensured those days are firmly in the past.
The Brazilian has struggled with injuries this season aswell, and seems a long way off being considered the first choice he once was.
Former boss Carlo Ancelotti has been trying to tempt him to Real Madrid over the past 12 months, and it would not come as a major surprise if Ramires looked to force through a move this summer in the hope of playing more regular first team football.
Oscar
There is no doubting the natural talent Oscar possesses, but the concern for Mourinho and all Chelsea supporters is the way his form has dipped dramatically during the second half of the last two seasons.
Last term, Mourinho put it down to the upcoming World Cup in Brazil, but this time around there is no excuse.
Oscar was essentially picked ahead of Juan Mata to play that number 10 role for the Blues, and the supporters are entitled to expect more.
Cesc Fabregas is more than capable of playing that role, whilst Chelsea have the financial power to lure anyone to Stamford Bridge as a replacement.
Mourinho may well be tempted to cash in on Oscar this summer and pursue someone he will be able to rely on for a full season – rather than just the first half.
Gary Cahill
Last season Chelsea supporters were predicting Gary Cahill would go on to become a future club captain.
Yet a dip in form this season, plus the emergence of Kurt Zouma and the new contract recently signed by John Terry see’s Cahill fighting for his future at Stamford Bridge.
Mourinho is reportedly chasing a new centre back, with his former Real Madrid star Raphael Varane being linked weekly.
Any successful move for the France international would surely see Cahill become surplus to requirments, with his form this season having not reached the required standard for a team looking to fight on all fronts.
Loic Remy
The France international was only signed last summer by Chelsea, but has found first team chances difficult to come by.
Remy is a proven goalscorer at Premier League level, and fired the crucial winner against Hull last time out.
But with Diego Costa the undisputed first choice, and Didier Drogba a Chelsea legend, it is perhaps unsurprising Remy has not been given more chances.
His fitness record is also a concern, with injuries disrupting his first season at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea may well enter the market for a new forward in the summer, with Drogba nearing the end of his professional career, meaning a move way well depend on whether Remy has the ambition to play week in week out as the first choice striker in a Premier League side – something he is undoubtably good enough to do.
John Obi Mikel
In fairness to the Nigerian, he has been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge in every transfer window over the last three seasons, yet he has still stuck about.
Mikel has been an excellent servant to the Blues, and is popular with the supporters.
But a move may be out of his hands this summer, with reports linking Mourinho with a mega money move for Juventus star Paul Pogba.
Mikel is already firmly behind Matic and Fabregas in the pecking order, so any move for a new midfield star would see him finally become surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge.
