Premier League giants Chelsea are finally starting to find their stride in the top-flight, after what was a rather frustrating start to the campaign. The narrow victory against Brighton on the opening weekend was deceptive to say the least, as their performances against Liverpool and West Bromwich Albion on the back of that were both extremely questionable. However, over the last number of weeks, things have looked on the up around Stamford Bridge. The attacking players have started to fire on all cylinders, while a certain degree of defensive stability has seemingly been acquired by Lampard’s men as well.
Timo Werner, Kai Havertz, Thiago Silva, Hakim Ziyech and Ben Chilwell have all impressed since coming into the side, and as things stand, it looks like it’s only going to get better from here for the London club. Despite all this, it’s worth taking into account that Chelsea’s overall squad is still slightly bloated. Therefore, this article will attempt to pick one player from each position that Chelsea should cash in on. This does not include players who are currently out on loan, and will only address the names who are both on the payroll, and still members of the Chelsea camp.
One Player From Each Position That Chelsea Should Cash In On:
Goalkeeper: Willy Caballero
The Argentine veteran is well past his prime now, and the fact that Chelsea have two younger options to choose from in the role doesn’t bode well for the former Manchester City man. After Edouard Mendy’s arrival, even Kepa Arrizabalaga has struggled to find any game-time, which effectively means that Caballero’s involvement is going to be even more limited. With the keeper now 39-years-old, demanding any more from him would be pushing it, and moving him on would definitely be in the club’s best interest.
Defence: Marcos Alonso
The Spanish wing-back has been an excellent servant of this football club for the most part, but his reputation is blemished by various defensive flaws in his play. Arguably among the best attacking wing-backs in the entire division on his day, Alonso’s downfall came in the form of an apparent inability to defend against pacy wingers. His contributions to Chelsea’s title win a few years ago cannot be underplayed, but with Ben Chilwell now in the mix as well, its unlikely that the Spaniard will get a regular run in the team again.
Midfield: Danny Drinkwater
The English ace was one of two players that Chelsea signed from Leicester City all those years ago, and while one of them has gone on to become a World Cup winner and club legend, the other has fallen straight into mediocrity. Unsuccessful loan spells last season added to his misery, and the lack of suitors in the recently completed summer transfer window further piled on the pressure. The likelihood of Drinkwater ever playing a game for Chelsea is almost certainly zero, which means that moving him on should be treated with importance.
Attack: Olivier Giroud
The Frenchman had an important part to play in the Blues’ run to the top four of the Premier League last season. His presence, both on the pitch and off it, has been a massive boon for Lampard in his first couple of years as manager, and his legacy as a Premier League striker remains unblemished. Having moved to Chelsea to win trophies and successfully achieving that, this could be the perfect time for Giroud to find a move away from London. With the striker still hunting for a national goal record, and still a regular part of the French setup, it would be in the player’s best interest to leave Stamford Bridge this January.
