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It's that time of the year again! The Premier League transfer window for the 2018-19 season opened right after the end of the 2017-18 season, well ahead of the usual 10th June date, with players like Ricardo Pereira (to Leicester City) already having sealed moves.
Irrespective of where they have finished, all twenty clubs are likely to spend a lot of money in securing the services of new players, with the likes of City, Liverpool, United and Chelsea expected to keep making big-money signings.
Chelsea has had a mixed couple of seasons under Antonio Conte. A tremendous first season in charge saw the Blues coast to the title and narrowly miss out on a league and FA Cup double at the hands of Arsenal.
The second season has more resembled the 2015-16 season than the previous one, with the Blues finishing fifth, out of the Champions League for the second time in three years. With the FA Cup being the only consolation prize, Conte is set to depart soon.
With a major overhaul of the squad anticipated and some big names rumored to be coming in, here are three players whom you could see leave Chelsea this window.
#1 Alvaro Morata
The former Real Madrid and Juventus striker had a torrid first season at Chelsea, failing to live up to expectations. Alvaro Morata scored just 11 times in 31 appearances, with only three goals in 2018; a horror run that saw him left out of Lopetuegi's World Cup squad.
The forward has often been criticised for his failure to hold the ball or link-up play, with his poor finishing partly responsible for the club's disastrous season.
The forward enjoyed an excellent start to life in England before a debilitating back injury coupled with a shocking loss of form saw Olivier Giroud being preferred to start over the young Spaniard.
Morata to Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport:
'I don't see myself in London for very long. It is too big, too much stress.'
Chelsea's €58 million record signing could be offered a lifeline, however, with Juventus rumored to be interested.
Morata has fond memories of his time in Turin, saying he "arrived a boy, and left a man." The Old Lady of Italy could be readying a loan offer for the striker, with an option to buy at €50 million.
Also rumored to be interested are Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund, which would be prepared to buy the Spaniard outright.
Dortmund was believed to be interested in signing Michy Batshuayi, but that deal was rejected outright, and hence they turned their sights toward the Spaniard.
The Blues have been linked with both Cavani and Lewandowski, and selling Morata may help raise funds for high-profile transfers.
#2 Willian
The Brazilian winger has been one of Chelsea's most consistent performers, ever since his €32 million move from Anzhi Makhachkala.
Gifted with quick feet and excellent dribbling skills, Willian found great joy playing Chelsea's counter-attacking football, dribbling with explosive pace while keeping hold of the ball and scoring some exquisite goals.
The Brazilian has had two difficult seasons under Conte however, often being benched for Pedro or not fitting into the 3-5-2 system.
In spite of being on short on playing time, the Brazilian scored 14 and assisted eight, a feat which saw him become Chelsea's 'Players' Player of the Year.'
What was most remarkable about the bushy-haired winger though, was his almost telepathic connection with Hazard, as the duo often found each other in the tightest of spaces without breaking a sweat.
Willian on Mourinho: "He likes me a lot and I like him a lot as a coach and as a person. He has put his trust in me and in my work, and I was very grateful to him."
With no information regarding Conte's future, much less the identity of the new manager, Willian has attracted interest from long-time admirer Jose Mourinho's Manchester United.
The Brazilian is rumored to be interested in exiting from the Bridge if Conte stays on, and could feature in a deal that sees Frenchman Anthony Martial move in the opposite direction.
This is a deal that could work out well for both clubs. While United would be getting much-needed quality on the right-wing, Martial's signing for Chelsea could signal to Hazard the club are prepared to match his ambition, forcing him to stay.
#3 Marcos Alonso
Marcos Alonso could move to Barcelona after just two years with Chelsea, reports the Sun.
Little was known or heard about this Spanish wing-back during his time at Fiorentina. All that changed, however, when Conte brought him to Chelsea for €23 million in August 2016. Since his move to England, Alonso has excelled in the wing-back role, enjoying a dream run in English football and earning himself a national team call-up.
He was one of the vital cogs in the Blues' title-winning campaign of 2016-17, not just defending astutely but also scoring seven goals with that sweet left foot of his.
Even Chelsea's disastrous 2017 campaign couldn't prevent the Spaniard from earning a spot in the PFA 'Team of the Year.' In his two years playing for the Blues, the wing-back has scored 14 goals, assisted six and most importantly helped keep 34 clean sheets.
With Alba turning 30 next year and Lucas Digne not thought to be of Barca quality, the Chelsea wing-back would be the perfect investment, providing long-term benefits.
A huge feature of Barcelona's game has been Alba and Messi's combination play, and Alonso could be the next man to star in that left-back role.
