The first half of the season form is looking good and the Chelsea fans here in the Transfer Tavern are looking at what looks like a two-way race for the Premier League runners-up spot.

After losing their opening fixture to Burnley 3-2, things have gone from strength to strength for the London side, despite a little wobble, they have hoisted themselves up to third in the league and are labelled as one of the Premier Leagues ‘Top 3’.

Now the saga of Diego Costa is well and truly over, Antonio Conte can concentrate on the matters at hand. Indeed, new signing Alvaro Morata has fitted in nicely, with a decent start to his first English season, much to the delight of the Blues in our bar. However, a striker is high on the priority list this coming window, such is the rather threadbare nature of their central striking options.

Chelsea and Conte will be desperate to reclaim their trophy this year and some of our punters in here believe the way to do that is to freshen up the squad come January.

By now, Conte will surely have a clearer idea of who he needs, with that in mind our Landlord reckons these two may be seeing the Stamford Bridge exit door come January…

Ruben Loftus-Cheek

Though the midfielder is getting some game time at Crystal Palace, he proved on his England debut that he should be playing at a much higher level. Loftus-Cheek has been tearing things up at youth level in west London for years and probably deserves a bigger platform.

He certainly has everything needed to make it at the very top of English football, he just needs a proper chance.

Kenedy

After being sent home pre-season and not really living up to expectations at the Bridge, Kenedy saw a move to Newcastle on a season-long loan collapse during the summer transfer window.

However, the Brazilian is not to be featured in Conte’s plans, it looks like the wingers days at Chelsea will be wasted.

It seems as if Conte was to give him a chance of redemption in the cup games, although with the left winger now playing a left wing-back role, he may seek a move to play in the role that feels more natural to him.