OUTS
Signing one of the targets in each position discussed would cost crazy money, meaning the only way is to sanction sales to raise the crazy money required.
Petr Cech: His leaving Chelsea would be a pill easy to swallow, thanks to the ability of Courtois.
John Mikel Obi: The Nigerian has divided opinion all through his stay at the club. Nemanja Matic’s return has seen his playing time reduced ever since. He can raise almost double what Cech would, and his absence would surely not be felt.
Ramires: Having run tirelessly for Chelsea throughout his stay, the energetic Brazilian may have run his Chelsea race. An unfortunate kidney illness means he cannot be part of the team for the rest of the season. He may end up being sold, raking in a similar amount to Mikel Obi. His energy would be missed but would be easily replaced by Pogba’s dynamism or Koke’s solidity.
Oscar: It is hard to imagine Mourinho would sanction his sale, especially given his most recent comments but stranger things have happened. Oscar has not developed his potential as expected, and a tournament free summer may remedy that. But if it comes down to raising transfer funds, the prodigious playmaker is Chelsea’s most saleable asset. £35m is really good money.
Loic Remy, Didier Drogba: If Chelsea can sign Bale or Griezmann and any of their striker targets, Remy must be sold. The Frenchman is a decent backup, but his injury record means he will remain decent and nothing else. With Manchester City and United plotting big arrivals, Remy may not be able to cut it at the high-end next season.
As for Drogba, the legend’s legend must come to an end for good this summer. At 37, he can add little to the squad next term.
When all is said and done, this could be Chelsea’s squad next season:
GK: Courtois, Green, Jamal Blackman
DF: Terry, Cahill, Azpilicueta, Ivanovic, Zouma, Varane, Filipe Luis.
MF: Matic, Fabregas, Koke, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Eden Hazard, Willian, Cuadrado, Bale.
FW: Diego Costa, Lacazette, Bamford.