Stamford Bridge first team players who are reportedly strongly linked with Blues exits this summer.
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Since Jose Mourinho started his second spell at Chelsea, reports have suggested that the Portuguuese coach will be looking to make big changes to his Chelsea squad in order for the Blues to challenge for the Premier League title this summer. Mourinho no longer has a bottom less pit of money to dip into at Chelsea and needs to sell players so that he can make room in his squad for new signings. Here are five Chelsea players who could be on the move this summer.
Branislav Ivanovic
The defender has been a regular fixture of most Chelsea sides for the past few years, whether it be at centre back or right back. When he joined Chelsea, many saw the potential that he had to become a fantastic central defender and although he has his fair share of success at Chelsea, he has made many mistakes. Some believe that Ivanovic hasn’t turned into the player that he was meant to become during his time at Stamford Bridge and Mourinho is considering letting him leave this summer to free up funds for his purchases. Should Ivanovic become available at Chelsea this summer, then there would be no shortage of suitors for his signature.
The defender has been heavily linked with a move to Barcelona, with the Spanish club considering making a move for him and fellow defender David Luiz, who could also leave Stamford Bridge this summer. Although Barcelona won the Spanish League title last season, cracks started to appear in the clubs defence in the absence of club captain Carlos Puyol. The Spaniard is 35 and is currently receiving treatment for a knee injury and although Barcelona expect him to be fit sometime next season, it is doubtful that Puyol will ever reach his best form again, meaning Barcelona are on the look out for a new centre back. They have identified Ivanovic as a possible target because of his possible availability at Chelsea and also his strength and character in defence. Barcelona conceded goals from a lot of set pieces last season and the club see Ivanovic as possible solution to that problem.
Ivanovic is also versatile and can play at right-back if necessary, something Tito Vilanova would like in a new signing. Ivanovic could also form a good partnership with Gerard Pique in Barcelona’s back-four and the two could be together for quite sometime due to both players ages. Ivanovic has also been linked with a move to Napoli, where former Chelsea boss Rafa Benitez has recently become manager. The Spaniard wants to strengthen Napoli’s defence this summer and has identified Ivanovic as a candidate to do just that. The defender could be sold by Chelsea for around £20 million, making him quite expensive for a defender. Also, Ivanovic may want to stay at Stamford Bridge but it looks like he will have to work hard to impress his new manager of face being shown the exit door at Stamford Bridge. Paris St Germain are also thought to be in the running for Ivanovic, with the French Champions hoping to partner Ivanovic with current centre back, Thiago Silva.