'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Chelsea currently find themselves at the 4th place in the league, eight points off the top spot. The chemistry between the players has increased tenfold in the last few seasons, especially between the regular starters, but what about the rest of the team?
There are a lot of players that many would argue aren't up to par with Chelsea's standards, and yet they still retain their places on the bench or in the reserves. Granted, Chelsea are a rich club, but the wages they pay out each week for these players must be doing some damage in the long-term.
Whether they were rushed, last minute buys in the transfer window, or simply poor purchases, we take a look at five current Chelsea players who the club need to offload in the January transfer window.
#5 Danny Drinkwater
Danny Drinkwater was signed from Leicester City not long after the Foxes had won the Premier League title. Drinkwater was integral to the side's success at the time and was thought to have huge potential. Chelsea splashed £35m on the midfielder, but many fans were left wondering if perhaps the club were too hasty in signing him.
Since joining the Blues, Drinkwater has played a bit-part role in the side. He only featured 12 times last season, with seven of those substitute appearances. However, this year, he hasn't even shown up. It's clear that Drinkwater isn't a part of Sarri's plans, so it wouldn't come as a surprise if he was sold in January.
Where might Daniel Drinkwater go?
The most likely outcome from the January transfer window would be Drinkwater moving to another Premier League side. He's too good for the Championship, and wouldn't suit the style of play abroad. He's a strong defensive midfielder who could be an asset to many sides - however, realistically, Drinkwater would only get game time in clubs in the lower half of the table.
Newcastle, Southampton and West Ham are all potential candidates for his signature. But one thing's for sure, nobody is going to pay anywhere close to the £35m fee Chelsea agreed to.
#4 Victor Moses
Victor Moses is another player who simply doesn't fit Sarri's style of play. He has made two appearances for the Blues this season, but both of those were late-minute substitutions.
Life was very different for Moses under the likes of Antonio Conte, who gave him a real chance at right-wing-back, where the Nigerian flourished. But with Sarri tending to opt either for three at the back, or a standard back four, Victor Moses' best role is now out of the question.
That being said, Moses can be a very good player on his day and would be a vital addition to practically any side in the Premier League - especially in the lower half of the table. But it certainly looks as if his future at Chelsea is in doubt right now.
Where might Victor Moses go?
According to the Daily Star, Sarri is looking to offload the Nigerian to Crystal Palace in January for around £12m. Palace are a club that would suit Moses very well, and play the exact style which saw him flourish last season.
#3 Marco Van Ginkel
Since joining Chelsea in the summer of 2013 from Vitesse, Marco Van Ginkel has been sent out on loan every single season. In that time, he has played for AC Milan, Stoke City, and PSV Eindhoven (twice). Although he hasn't been shipped out on loan this season, it could be due to the fact he's currently sidelined with a knee injury.
One can't help but wonder what Chelsea have to gain from keeping him on their books if they simply plan to send him off elsewhere every season. Van Ginkel is now 26 years old, so is unlikely to have any more room for improvement, which effectively means that loaning him out from here would be a waste of time.
It's time for Chelsea to accept that the once promising midfield maestro has nothing to offer them now. It'll also be difficult for the Blues to get back an amount similar to what they paid for him back in 2013 (£8m), so they should act swiftly before his evaluation drops even more.
Where might Marco Van Ginkel go?
Despite some vague interest from Fenerbahce in the summer, Van Ginkel hasn't been officially linked with any club this year. However, the most likely destination for him is the Eredivisie, where he's been playing for PSV Eindhoven the last couple of seasons.
#2 Gary Cahill
With just one appearance this season, it's clear that Gary Cahill is surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge.
The 32-year-old was a prominent member of the first team as recently as last season, but Maurizio Sarri prefers the likes of David Luiz and Antonio Rudiger to the ageing defender, because of the quick style of play that he likes to employ. As a result, Cahill has become a spectator, and this new role probably won't change anytime soon.
Where might Gary Cahill go?
Despite Cahill being heavily linked with AC Milan recently, a more realistic destination would be to a team in the Championship, following in the footsteps of his former teammate, John Terry. The Telegraph report that Chelsea would be willing to let Cahill go out on loan to Aston Villa in January, which will effectively bring his career at Stamford Bridge to an end, as his contract runs out in the summer.
#1 Davide Zappacosta
Davide Zappacosta played a fair amount of games last season under Antonio Conte, featuring in 22 matches, where 10 of those came from substitutions. He even managed to grab himself a goal. However, this season has been the polar opposite, as under Maurizio Sarri, he no longer fits the system.
That being said, Zappacosta is a player with enough ability to walk into virtually any side in the Premier League and get game time. He is a strong, reliable right-back with a great deal to offer a team, and if he knew what was best for him, he would seek a move elsewhere for the sake of his career.
Where might Davide Zappacosta go?
Inter Milan have been interested in Zappacosta for some time now, and The Metro reported that the Italian would be open to leaving Stamford Bridge in January if Sarri continued to overlook him. A move like this would be best for both parties, so it's likely that he will leave in next month.
