After a great start to the season, winning three games out of three, Chelsea suddenly look like the team that flirted with relegation at a certain point last season.
It would seem that getting a new manager has had little effect on the state of affairs at the club. They haven’t won a Premier League game since defeating Burnley 3-0 back in August and surprisingly fell to Arsenal by losing 3-0 at the weekend.
Certainly, not a case of incompetence on Antonio Conte’s part, and some players are guilty of ‘betraying’ their manager’s work. One, in particular, has even admitted that the team did not stick to the Italian’s game-plan against Arsenal.
By the looks of things, Conte will definitely have to swing the axe. And with the January transfer window not too far away, here’s a list of five players who may be shown the exit sooner rather than later.
#1 Gary Cahill
The England international has put in horrible performance after horrible performance, and can shoulder the blame for most of the goals conceded in Chelsea’s last three league games.
Cahill has been an absolute nightmare at the back and is a huge liability. The Italian manager needs to act swiftly and condemn him to the bench before things get any worse.
Fortunately for the gaffer, Captain John Terry is nearing recovery and Kurt Zouma could be available for selection after the international break. But as for Cahill, he should not be allowed to play any further part, and the Blues should rid themselves of him while they still can get decent value for him in the market.
#2 Branislav Ivanovic
The full-back seemed back to his best after the first three games of the season but has now begun to remind Chelsea fans of the poor season he had last time around.
The Serbian has been a loyal servant to the club, and as much as Chelsea feel they owe him an opportunity to prove himself, they have to do what’s best for the club and their supporting fans.
Ivanovic has looked out of sorts for too long now, and what’s puzzling is the fact that Chelsea have a new left-back in Marcos Alonso.
Many had expected the Spaniard to be played on the left while Cesar Azpilicueta moved back to his natural position, yet Conte has only given the new man a single outing in the EFL Cup. Playing Ivanovic regularly is clearly hurting the team. Simply put: He needs to go.
#3 Nemanja Matic
Another player who has lost his way, Nemanja Matic looks almost clueless in midfield at times. The Serbian was one of Jose Mourinho’s star players in the Blues’ title-winning season and was a dominant force who effortlessly protected the Chelsea defence.
He has since lost form, and although he has shown glimpses of his old self this season, it’s clearly not working for him and the team. Conte expected Matic would man the middle with authority, but so far, he has simply proven that he is no longer good enough.
The manager should replace him with a more offensively inclined player, as N’Golo Kante can certainly function in the defensive midfield role on his own.
If Juventus still want Matic, when the next transfer window rolls around, then Conte should let them have him.
#4 Pedro
The Spaniard is extremely productive on a good day – the only problem is, he hasn’t had many of those since joining Chelsea. Brought in from Barcelona at the beginning of last season, Pedro was expected to light up the flanks with pace and skill but has really disappointed in that regard.
A very likeable person he may be but Chelsea should probably cut their losses. The former Barca man is clearly not suited to the Premier League and hasn’t really contributed anything notable so far this season.
The direct running, flair and goalscoring and we saw at Barcelona isn’t happening for the Spaniard at Chelsea, at least not consistently enough.
While Pedro is capable of producing the odd magic moment, it’s no reason to keep him at a club with Chelsea’s ambitions.
#5 Thibaut Courtois
Thibaut Courtois should really learn to shut his mouth. His performances this season – as well as the last – have shown nothing special. The Belgian seems to have regressed in the past season, and the Blues would be better off starting Asmir Begovic in his place as he clearly does not want to be at Chelsea.
Once the most promising young keeper in Europe, Courtois, much like a few of his teammates, has lost form. Yet he is constantly speaking to the press about possibly leaving Chelsea.
His actions have been unprofessional, as well as disrespectful. and he shouldn’t be kept at Stamford Bridge even if he has to leave for free.
