Which players will Mourinho kick out of Chelsea this summer?

Following Chelsea’s disappointing defeat against Crystal Palace, which leaves the west London club behind Manchester City and Liverpool as favourites to win the Premier League this season, Jose Mourinho has hinted that there will be several changes this summer.

“It is clear to everybody that Chelsea next year want to bring a striker,” said Mourinho. “What’s the future for the others? The ones who are staying are competing with the striker we are bringing in. It is normal at the end of the season if players who are not playing a lot or players who are not happy and prefer a change will go. That is also part of the market. We want to improve the team and the players and make some surgical movements in the transfer window. It is also clear we want to improve our players. I can’t and I don’t need to improve Ivanovic, Cahill or Terry, but there are others I need to improve. We are doing that step by step. But that’s not enough to be champions.”

Chelsea have the best defensive record in the league this season, with Gary Cahill and John Terry forming an impressive partnership, but there aren’t many other players outside of the defence that have shone.

Eden Hazard has been very impressive and a match-winner for Chelsea on a number of occasions, but without competent strikers ahead of him, has found he’s had too much to do by himself.

Oscar started the season very well but his form has been on the decline in 2014, which sadly for Chelsea fans seemed to coincide with the sale of Juan Mata. The Spaniard who had been named Chelsea’s best player for the two previous seasons would have likely played in many more games in 2014 thanks to Oscar’s form. Still, after playing in 64 games last season and 42 games this season, it’s no wonder the 22-year-old’s performances haven’t been to his usual high standard.

Still, you can assume these players are safe, but which ones are likely to be moved on in the summer?

Fernando Torres
The £50m striker has scored just 4 goals is 23 league appearances this season which is a terrible return. With just 19 league goals in 105 games over his Chelsea career, it would be no surprise if Mourinho decided enough was enough and moved him on.

Ashley Cole
The left back’s contract expires at the end of this season and Chelsea haven’t offered him a new deal yet. Reports this week suggested that Real Madrid were prepared to offer him a 2 year deal to lure him to Spain. Having lost his starting place to Cesar Azpilicueta, it would be no surprise to see him leave.

John Obi Mikel
The midfielder has played in 21 games for Chelsea in the league this season but just nine of those were from the start. The signing of Nemanja Matic may have just been the final nail in his Chelsea coffin.

David Luiz
Rafa Benitez was a fan of the Brazilian but Luiz is beyond Cahill and Terry in pecking order this season. Reports have repeatedly suggested that Barcelona are keen on him and his sale would help Chelsea in their FFP battle.

Other possibilities: Samuel Eto’o, Frank Lampard, Ryan Betrand and Romelu Lukaku.