Five players who Chelsea should cash in on once January rolls around.
Chelsea have started this season in inspired form, with only a late equaliser by former Stamford Bridge hero Frank Lampard denying them a victory at Manchester City last weekend that would’ve maintained Jose Mourinho’s 100% start to the Premier League campaign.
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That does not mean that Mourinho isn’t likely to want to make further additions to the squad once the transfer window reopens in January, however. But, with the spectre of FFP continuing to loom large over Europe’s clubs, it could well be the case that he has to sell before he can buy. Here are five players that we believe Chelsea should let go:
Petr Cech
Despite pre-season promises to the contrary, Mourinho is yet to really give experienced goalkeeper Petr Cech a look in ahead of the impressive Thibaut Courtois, which will surely lead to the Czech international leaving Stamford Bridge in January? Cech is still one of the finest goalkeepers around and is far too good to be sitting on the bench anywhere – the only question is whether a club will come in to meet his and his club’s demands.
Nathaniel Chalobah
The England youth international is spending the first few months of the season on loan at Burnley but, when this deal expires in January, Chelsea should do the right thing and allow Chalobah to leave the club. He is reaching an age where he needs to be on the fringes of the first team at Stamford Bridge and, with that appearing not to be the case, there is a real danger of his career heading in the same direction as Josh McEachran’s.
John Obi Mikel
Experienced Nigerian international midfielder John Obi Mikel has been a fine servant to Chelsea – but it would be a shame for his career to end as little more than a player to sit on the bench and occasionally be given an outing in the League Cup. Allowing Mikel and his considerable wages to move on would mean that Mourinho can replace him with a young, more dynamic replacement and continue the overhaul of his squad.
Mohamed Salah
With Egpytian winger Mohamed Salah not getting a look in at Stamford Bridge this season, the Blues would be well advised to sell him whilst his value is still relatively high and Salah’s heroics for FC Basel in last season’s Champions League are still fresh in the memory. With the form that is being shown by Andre Schurrle, Eden Hazard and Willian, it is hard to see Salah getting any real opportunities – a situation that is unlikely to sit well with the player himself.
Oscar
A controversial choice perhaps, but attacking midfielder Oscar’s form has been on the wane for more than a year now and has shown little sign of improving at the start of this season, despite a League Cup goal against Bolton Wanderers. The Brazilian is still highly rated and his value is relatively high, so selling him may well mean that they escape the frustration of having a player on their books who never quite refinds the form that he once was able to show.