Stamford Bridge side set to trim squad.
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Having signed youngsters Andre Schurrle and Marco Van Ginkel it appears that Jose Mourinho is set to offload some of his first team squad to make room for further additions.
The Times claims that the returning Blues boss is ready to sell Demba Ba and John Obi Mikel, two players who were regulars in Rafa Benitez’s first team set-up last term.
Senegal international Ba struggled for form after an early run of goals following his January move to Stamford Bridge and with Mourinho set to welcome back Romelu Lukaku into his first-team set-up, after a successful loan spell at West Brom, it appears that the former Newcastle United man is surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge.
Russian big spenders Anzhi are interested in signing the 27 year old and a move to the Dagestan based club seems likely.
Mourinho also seems willing to allow Mikel to leave, perhaps with a view to bringing Michael Essien into his starting eleven as Chelsea’s defensive midfield force, having brought the Ghanaian to Real Madrid last season on a loan deal.
There is said to be interest in Nigerian international Mikel from a number of Turkish sides though a lot could depend on how much the West London side demands for the 26 year old who has racked up 277 appearances for Chelsea since moving to the club back in June 2006.