3 Players Likely To Leave Chelsea In January

Chelsea have had a bright start to the season and everybody- board, management, coaching staff, players and fans alike are happy in the direction the club is going. Some players have started brightly while some are still taking time to adjust. The January transfer window though, a couple of months away and as expected players will be coming in and player will be going out either on loan on an outright sale.

It is usually expected that players who are not finding their footing in the club should be the ones to be sold while sometimes players could be allowed to go in search of regular football action especially when the club cannot guarantee such player adequate playing time. So, we look at three players who could leave Chelsea this winter transfer window.

Petr Cech

One player that is high on this list is Petr Cech who irrespective of his fantastic performances over the years for the club has suddenly found himself playing second fiddle to Belgian sensation Thibaut Courtois.

Thibaut Courtois returned to Chelsea in the summer after spending three years on loan at Atletico Madrid of Spain (a time where he has gained the reputation as one of the best goal keepers in the world). He instantly became manager Jose Mourinho’s preferred choice between the sticks hence, relegating long term first choice Petr Cech to the bench.

Cech has spoken about his frustration at being left on the bench and has promised to address the situation as soon as possible. He has only made three starts for Chelsea this season, all in cup games.

A lot of club will look to take the advantage of offering him a regular action to lure him away from Stamford Bridge this winter. Real Madrid and AS Roma of Italy have been strongly linked to the player in recent weeks with a January move muted. His agent has also claimed that English clubs- Manchester United and Liverpool have made enquiries concerning the player’s situation but he will likely move abroad if a move is to happen.

Real Madrid’s captain and goal keeper have been under immense fire and criticism this season for his performance and it looks Carlo Ancelotti is keen to replace the Madrid veteran and could turn to Cech whom he worked with during his time at Chelsea. It is believed the Italian does not really values second choice keeper Keylor Navas who just joined the Spanish giant this summer after an impressive showing for Costa Rica at the FIFA 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

AS Roma could also be a surprise destination as the capital club look to topple Juventus for the Seria A title and also make a mark in the Champions league. They already have the service of former Blue Ashley Cole who is also a good friend of Cech.

Petr Cech at 32 as a goal keeper still has age on his side. He is still up there with the best in term of performances and his case is just a case of having a youngster who at 22 is seen as club’s long term keeper. Courtois has been excellent to say the least. He is one out of two goalkeepers shortlisted for the FIFA Ballon d’Or 2014.

Cech is likely to move this winter transfer window in search of regular shirt even as the Euro 2016 event is drawing near and he is a very important member of the Czech squad.

John Obi Mikel

The Nigerian has also found regular action hard to come by since the second coming of Jose Mourinho. This is no blame of anybody but he’s. He has simply not lived up to billings when given the chance.

The understanding and partnership between Fabregas and Matic in the central midfield area has been hailed as the best in the premier league at the moment and it is yet to be seen how Mikel will break into the team.

He has been linked to Inter Milan and Galatasaray of Turkey in recent past and there could be a possible move this January. Chelsea still has Ramires in his position and if rumours linking Real Madrid’s Sami Khedira to Stamford Bridge is true, then Chelsea could be set to offload him.

Mohamed Salah

Before the January 2014 transfer window, Mohamed Salah was one of the hottest wingers in the world but the Egyptian has caught a Torres-like figure since he joined the club last January.

He has looked off what who we knew him to be and Chelsea could cash in on him or loan him out this January. There are a lot of players ahead of him in his position and he has not done enough to justify his inclusion in the handful of games he has played for the club so far. His national team manager Shawky Gharib has claimed he needs to leave Chelsea to get regular action and Salah could heed his national manager’s advice.