Five players that could replace Juan Mata at Chelsea.
5. Antoine Griezmann – Real Sociedad
The French winger has suddenly been thrust into the spotlight this season thanks to his barnstorming displays against Manchester United in the Champions League and for the past few weeks the side from Old Trafford have been heavily liked with his signature.
However, upon signing Mata they will have no use for Griezmann, leaving someone else to take a run at bringing him on board. He is still raw, though, and untested at the very top of the game, but he has bags full of potential and under the right guidance can be a world beater in next to no time. 
4. Angel Di Maria – Real Madrid
The Argentine international has been one of the players to suffer from Gareth Bale’s transfer to Madrid last summer, and though that only seems natural that the club would want to put their most expensive player ahead of him (especially given the form he’s displayed so far), but one thing is for sure – Di Maria is far to good to sit on the bench.
Comfortable in both wide and central positions, Di Maria would be an almost like for like replacement for Mata and has bags of Champions League experience too.
3. Wesley Sneijder – Galatasaray
Experienced, creative and at times, awe-inspring. There is no doubt that the Dutch international is still one of Europe’s most influential midfielders, and at 29-years-old is long overdue a stint in the English top flight.
Galatasaray are obviously keen to keep a hold of him, but his valuation of just £8m makes him a cut price replacement that would pay back the small fee in spades should the club actually manage to bring him on board. Furthermore, there’s a certain someone in the Gala front line that would be able to twist his arm if he decided to move on…
2. Ross Barkley – Everton
The Everton starlet is being billed as one of English football’s brightest hopes, and it’s easy to see why after breaking onto the scene at Goodison Park this season.
And despite what many say about Chelsea’s buying policy, the club do actually have a good core of English players – all of whom are seasoned internationals, and under the guidance of the likes of Lampard, Terry, Cahill and Cole he would have a solid grounding to help boost his development at the very top of the tree.
1. Mohamed Salah – FC Basel
The wing ace has catapulted himself to the top of everyone’s wish list this season and Chelsea have twice had a front row seat to his capabilities having witnessed him run riot against them during their two Champions League ties earlier on in the campaign.
However, Chelsea will have to fight off a whole legion of suitors to land his signature and will have t move fast if they hope to beat Liverpool and bring him to Stamford Bridge. At just £15m he would represent an absolute steal and it is astounding that nobody has sought to pay it already.
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