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Chelsea's fans were thrilled with the appointment of Italian manager Maurizio Sarri after a disappointing season under Antonio Conte where they failed to qualify for the Champions League as they finished sixth in the table.
The Italian has implemented his Sarri-ball footballing philosophy as the Blues started the season with a bang going unbeaten in 18 matches in all competitions before tasting their first defeat against a spirited Tottenham side.
The Blues have been playing beautiful football under the Italian gaffer with summer signing Jorginho pulling the strings at the heart of Chelsea's midfield and orchestrating attack with his vision, creativity, and great passing accuracy.
Eden Hazard looks like a player reborn under Maurizio Sarri with his performance this season showing why he is considered the best player after Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. The Belgian has bagged an impressive 10 goals and setting up nine goals in the process.
As Eden Hazard & Co. are enjoying their football under the new manager, there are some players who have failed to force their way into the manager's plan and may seek to continue with their careers away from the Stamford Bridge.
Here is a look at five players who may be on the move in the winter transfer window.
#5 Cesc Fabregas
The Spaniard has fallen down the pecking order with the summer arrival of Jorginho. Sarri prefers the Italian midfielder to the Spaniard at the base of Chelsea's midfield as he was looking to implement his philosophy at Stamford Bridge.
Sarri's preference of Jorginho is understandable as he had played under him at Napoli. Cesc Fabregas has only one start in the Premier League this season and most of his chances came in the UEFA Europa League.
Cesc has been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge in January and despite being 31-years old, the Spanish midfield genius still has a lot more to offer and a transfer in January could benefit him.
#4 Gary Cahill
The English centre-back's form has dipped over the past couple of seasons and that has cost him a precious chance to represent the Three Lions at the summer World Cup in Russia.
Gary Cahill used to be a mainstay at the heart of Chelsea defense since linking up with the Blues in January 2016 from Bolton Wanderers. He developed into one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League as he ascended to Chelsea captaincy after Terry's retirement.
Cahill has made over 200 appearances for the Blues over the 8 seasons he spent at the club. However, things did not go as expected for the English defender as he has one made only one substitute Premier League appearance this season.
Cahill is ageing and that's a clear indication that his Chelsea career might be coming to an end and could only prolong his playing career elsewhere as he doesn't seem to be in Maurizio Sarri's plans.
#3 Danny Drinkwater
Danny Drinkwater joined Chelsea for a whopping £40 Million from Leicester City as the Blues were looking to replace Nemanja Matic who joined their rivals Manchester United. Antonio Conte was looking to reunite the English man with his former Leicester City midfield partner Ngolo Kante who had joined Chelsea in the previous season.
Things have not gone as expected for the midfielder as he as only made 12 League appearances for the Blues across two seasons with all of them being in the last season as he has not featured for Chelsea in the Premier League this season under Sarri.
At 28 years, Drinkwater is not supposed to be stuck in the bench like he is at Chelsea but is supposed to enjoying his football as this is the time he is to be at the pinnacle of his career.
Sarri admitted that the midfielder does not fit into his preferred formation and could leave if he wishes to. This is a clear indication that Drinkwater is not part of Sarri's future plan for Chelsea and the exit door is more likely for the English midfielder now more than ever.
#2 Victor Moses
The poster boy of Antonio Conte's revolution at Chelsea Victor Moses is back on the bench at Stamford Bridge again. The Nigerian winger joined Chelsea in 2012 before going to a series of loan spells to Liverpool, Stoke City, and West Ham United before finally settling down under Antonio Conte.
Victor Moses nailed down a starting berth as a right wing-back for Antonio Conte in the 3-4-3 formation that handed the Blues Premier League title during the Italian first season in charge at Stamford Bridge.
Moses was instrumental in Chelsea's Premier League success in his orthodox position and was always the first name on Antonio Conte's team sheet. However, with Sarri's preference of a 4-3-3 formation, Victor Moses role has diminished and the Nigerian has only featured twice in the Premier League this season for the Blues.
The future does not look bright for Victor Moses at Stamford Bridge and a move away from Chelsea would rekindle his career.
#1 Andreas Christensen
The young Danish defender joined Chelsea at the age of 15 in 2012 on a free transfer during the reign of Andres Villas-Boas.
The youngster joined Borussia Mönchengladbach for a 2-year loan spell where he developed into one of the best defenders in Bundesliga. Upon his return to Stamford Bridge, he cemented his place in Conte's starting 11 making 27 Premier League appearances and 40 appearances in all competitions.
His assured performances at the heart of Chelsea's defense led him to be compared to Chelsea legend John Terry and was tipped to fill the void that was left by the English defender.
Christensen has fallen down the pecking order this season as Sarri prefers the centre-back partnership of David Luiz and Antonio Rudiger. The young Dane has made only one Premier League appearance this season and has seen much action in the Europa League.
Christensen is still very young and is in the development stage, therefore, should not be stuck in the bench as this could greatly hinder his further development to become a world-class centre-half that he is destined to be.
With his potential, a loan deal could benefit both parties as he will get more playing time to develop and Chelsea will also keep hold to one of their future stars.
