According to reports, Maurizio Sarri is set to be named as the new Chelsea manager once contract negotiations with his former club Napoli are sorted out.
The Italian has reportedly agreed to a two-year deal with an option for a third with Chelsea but pulling out from his Napoli contract has proved to be complicated so far. However, Chelsea are yet to part company with current manager Antonio Conte.
Changes are needed in west London and potential new manager Sarri must look to offload few players before adding his set of players. Keeping that in mind, here are three players Sarri must get rid of at Chelsea.
David Luiz
David Luiz was a key part of Conte’s back-three that marched to the Premier League title in the 2016/17 campaign.
But Luiz failed to replicate his form this season, spending almost the entire season on the sidelines due to ankle and knee injuries. There were also reports of the defender falling out with Conte last year.
The Brazilian just made 9 appearances in the Premier League last season and due to Andreas Christensen’s brilliant form, Luiz failed to retain his place in the starting XI.
Now 31, Sarri must cash in on Luiz as the Brazilian defender may have one final chance of a big payday.
Danny Drinkwater
Signed from Leicester City last summer, Danny Drinkwater royally failed to impress at Chelsea. Injuries hampered his progress under Conte and the 28-year-old made just 5 Premier League starts for the Blues last season.
Drinkwater played very little for the Blues and never showed the quality to command the midfield alongside N’Golo Kante, his former Leicester teammate.
The former Manchester United man had to constantly battle injuries and found himself behind Kante, Cesc Fabregas and Tiemoue Bakayoko in the pecking order. After taking over at Chelsea, Sarri must offload Drinkwater at all costs.
Pedro
Pedro has shown moments of brilliance but has never succeeded in adapting to the demands of the Premier League, failing to hit the heights expected of him at west London.
The Spaniard is weak on the ball and while battling against the Premier League defenders, he often went down too easily in search of a foul.
At 30 years of age, the former Barcelona winger’s best days are behind him and Sarri must get rid of Pedro this summer before his contract expires next year.