MX23RW : Thursday, April 25 17:25:10| >> :120:12363:12363:

Five players who could leave Chelsea

Sports Mole picks out five players who could depart Stamford Bridge during the summer after the return of Jose Mourinho.

Ever since Jose Mourinho agreed to make his anticipated return to Stamford Bridge, speculation has been rife regarding who will form his first-team squad at Chelsea next season.

The Portuguese coach has already made his impact since leaving Real Madrid by completing the signings of Andre Schurrle, Marco van Ginkel and Mark Schwarzer.

Below, Sports Mole has selected five players who could be making their way out of the exit door at the West London outfit.


New Chelsea striker Demba Ba celebrates his second debut goal at Southampton on January 5, 2013© AP Photos
Demba Ba

Demba Ba only completed a move to Chelsea from Newcastle United during the January transfer window, but it appears as though he could already be ready to depart the Europa League winners.

The Senegal international has been less than prolific during his short spell in London, scoring six goals in 22 appearances.

That has resulted in Mourinho targeting an array of world-class strikers from around Europe, but he could be forced to sell before anyone arrives at the club.

That could see Ba move to Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala, who are reported to be preparing a bid, while West Bromwich Albion have been linked with a loan deal for the 28-year-old.


Ref Kevin Friend has a word with Mikel© PA Photos
John Obi Mikel

Ever since his arrival at Stamford Bridge in 2006, John Obi Mikel has been a regular fixture in the centre of Chelsea's midfield.

However, the Nigerian international spent the second half of last season on the periphery of the starting lineup and that could have encouraged Mikel to seek pastures new this summer.

With Michael Essien back with the squad after a successful loan period with Real Madrid and the incoming of Van Ginkel, Chelsea need to make space in their squad and that could mean the 26-year-old being considered expendable.

Mikel was linked with a transfer to Galatasaray last month, while he would expect to attract plenty of interest with some of the major clubs in Europe.


Victor Moses celebrates scoring for Chelsea© PA Photos
Victor Moses

Victor Moses became a key member of the squad at Stamford Bridge last season after joining the club from Wigan Athletic.

While he scored just once in the Premier League, he played an important role in Chelsea's run to the Europa League final.

However, after the arrival of Schurrle, Moses could soon find himself as a fringe player under Mourinho, which might see the former Crystal Palace player seek a temporary move elsewhere.

New Everton boss Roberto Martinez, under whom Moses played at Wigan, is reportedly keen on taking the Nigerian international to Goodison Park.


Chelsea's Fernando Torres celebrates moments after scoring the opening goal against Benfica on May 15, 2013© PA Photos
Fernando Torres

The future of Fernando Torres has long been a hot topic of conversation at Stamford Bridge ever since his poor form during the first 18 months after his arrival from Liverpool.

The 29-year-old netted a total of just 12 goals during that time, but he did score 22 times in 64 appearances last season.

However, despite reportedly being reassured about his future, offers in excess of £15m could be considered for the Spanish international.

Arsenal are one club who have been talked about as a possible destination, while Torres would not be opposed with a return to his homeland.


Chelsea's David Luiz celebrates his free-kick against Aston Villa on December 23, 2012© PA Photos
David Luiz

Immediately after Mourinho returned to Stamford Bridge, it was suggested that the former Real Madrid coach was not a fan of David Luiz.

That resulted in speculation of a big-money move to Barcelona, while Paris Saint-Germain were reportedly prepared to bid for the Brazilian centre-back.

Talk of a move has cooled in recent weeks, but it would come as no surprise if Europe's big names did not return with significant offers before the end of the transfer window.

ID:93007: cacheID:93007:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:8577:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Mario Gomez
Read Next:
Five players Chelsea should sign
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
10am
Blanch
Nadal
Result
Cachin
Ofner
6 6
3 3
Result
Elahi Galan
Bautista-Agut
64 6 1
77 4 6
Result
Gasquet
Sonego
2 5
6 7
Result
Hanfmann
Mensik
4 63
6 77
10am
Koepfer
Carballes Baena
10am
Kovacevic
Medjedovic
Result
Lajovic
Monteiro
4 3
6 6
Result
Machac
Ruusuvuori
6 1 6
4 6 2
10am
Michelsen
Fonseca
Result
Nishioka
Auger-Aliassime
6 1 4
4 6 6
Result
O'Connell
Arnaldi
4 1
6 6
Result
Purcell
Giron
4 6 77
6 4 62
10am
Ramos-Vinolas
Kotov
Result
Tabilo
Cobolli
7 4 4
5 6 6
Result
Zhizhen
Kecmanovic
3 2
6 6
Result
Azarenka
Maria
6 6
3 1
10am
Eala
Cirstea
10am
Annie Fernandez
Potapova
Result
Gauff
Rus
6 6
0 0
Result
Keys
Camelia-Begu
77 78
63 66
Result
Podoroska
Navarro
2 1
6 6
10am
Karolina Schmiedlova
Jabeur
10am
Swiatek
Wang
10am
Baez
Van Assche
10am
Coric
Zverev
10am
Martin Etcheverry
Shapovalov
10am
Humbert
Van De Zandschulp
10am
Hurkacz
Draper
10am
Marozsan
Cerundolo
10am
Paul
Klein
10am
Rublev
Bagnis
10am
Alexandrova
Krueger
10am
Andreeva
Noskova
10am
Bejlek
Kalinskaya
10am
Boulter
Montgomery
10am
Bronzetti
Rybakina
10am
Collins
Danilovic
3pm
Cristian
Krejcikova
10am
Dolehide
Kalinina
10am
Garcia
Wang
10am
Linette
Sabalenka
10am
Pavlyuchenkova
Saville
Result
Sorribes Tormo
Svitolina
6 7
3 5
Result
Vekic
Sakkari
3 2
6 6
Result
Arango
Yastremska
6 5 4
0 7 6
Result
Osaka
Samsonova
2 6 5
6 4 7
Result
Ostapenko
Bouzas Maneiro
6 6
3 1
Result
Haddad Maia
Errani
6 6
3 2
2.30pm
Lourdes Carle
Kudermetova
2.30pm
Mertens
Stephens
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal34245582265677
2Liverpool34228475344174
3Manchester CityMan City32227376324473
4Aston Villa34206871502166
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs32186865491660
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd33165125150153
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle331551369541550
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham34139125463-948
9Chelsea32138116157447
10Bournemouth34129134960-1145
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton321111105250244
12Wolverhampton WanderersWolves34127154654-843
13Fulham34126165054-442
14Crystal Palace34109154456-1239
15Brentford3498175259-735
16Everton34118153648-1233
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3479184260-1826
18Luton TownLuton3467214775-2825
19Burnley3458213769-3223
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd3437243392-5916


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!