Things could not be going better for Chelsea in the Premier League this season and our landlord cannot see them slipping up anytime soon.

And although the rowdy Blues fans are making the majority of the noise in the Transfer Tavern, the real test for Antonio Conte’s men will surely come next season with the addition of Champions League football a very likely visitor to Stamford Bridge.

It’s safe to say that our resident Blues fans In the Tavern are thrilled at this prospect but know that in order to compete in the Champions League, a deeper squad is needed for rotation – something Chelsea have not had to do in the last season.

Our landlord agrees and doesn’t necessarily think Antonio Conte has to dip too much into the market due to the U23 squad bursting at the seams with young talent.

He feels that next season could be the time to shine for some of these players and feels like it would be a big mistake to let some of them go.

Alongside this, many a rumour is flying around Stamford Bridge over who is coming and going and although a squad reshuffle may occur, Blues fans in the Tavern are praying they hold on to their key players when Europe’s super clubs come knocking.

With that said, here are the TWO players that Chelsea simply cannot afford to lose…

Eden Hazard

With boss Antonio Conte addressing Real Madrid’s interest in the Belgium winger as a compliment, our landlord firmly believes that Hazard will surely be on his way to La Liga in the summer sparking a transfer merry-go-round in the process.

If this is the case, Blues fans in the Tavern will be furious as they view Hazard as their main attacking threat and no amount of cash can replace the talent or impact that the 26-year-old possesses.

They, and the rest of the league, know that Hazard leaving will be a massive blow to their club.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek

The 21-year-old will play anywhere for Chelsea and our resident Blues fans in the Tavern are screaming for their starlet to be given a chance, some even going as far to say that Loftus-Cheek is the future of their club.

However, with a lack of first team-opportunities, our landlord believes Chelsea may well cash in on the England U21 international although he fears it’s something they simply cannot afford to do.