Chelsea: Who will be going and who will be staying this summer?
Barring an upset against FC Kobenhavn in the Champion’s League tonight, Chelsea are still in the running for a trophy this season and this could determine how many players go and how many stay this summer. As we have seen so far in this Champion’s League season, anyone can beat anyone. Tottenham have knocked out AC Milan, Arsenal held the advantage against the best club side in the World, Barcelona (albeit for less than 45 minutes) so Chelsea will still be counting themselves as in with a chance of capturing the European title this year. However their Premier League challenge looks all but over at this point. The reigning champions currently occupy 4th place and are 9 points behind leaders Manchester United with a game in hand. Tottenham follow closely behind and qualifying for the Champion’s League next season is not a formality.
After splashing out on Fernando Torres in January, it could be presumed that Abramovich was looking for immediate results. Yes, they did beat United at the beginning of the month but losing to Liverpool in February seriously damaged their Title hopes. Also, Ancelotti will be seriously worrying over the form of superstar striker Torres who is yet to register a goal for his new club. All that seems to have been achieved by Torres’ arrival is the unsettling of several other Strikers at the club, notably Didier Drogba.
Presuming that Chelsea fail to win some form of trophy this year, it could be argued that Drogba will make a quick exit, and rumours have spread that a move back to France is already on the cards for the Ivory Coast man. Other players looking for a way out could include Anelka or Kalou who may move in search for more regular Starting line-up positions. Chelsea will be looking to justify the money spent on Torres and leaving him on the bench isn’t going to do this for them. So, as a result, it looks as if one, if not, two Strikers will have to go.
Centre-back John Terry looks to have put his past behind him and is showing signs of good form again. It isn’t obvious that a big defensive shift is going to happen, although some Chelsea fans are calling for Fereira to go. Winger, Malouda may be looking for a new start next season.
Chelsea have been rumoured to be looking to bring in more big money signings this summer. Real Madrid star Kaka and Wesley Sneijder have been linked with possible moves to the Blues. Among those looking for a way out could be youngster Daniel Sturridge who could be looking to move to another Premier League side in a bid for more first team football. This could be good for England fans who want to see their talented youngsters playing well for their clubs.
Striker Nicolas Anelka has been linked with a move to American side Red Bull New York and may choose to see out the remainder of his career there, much like David Beckham. Marseille coach Didier Deschamps will be watching hit-man Drogba keenly tonight as he looks to broker a deal bringing the striker back to France.
Of course, not everyone will be looking to leave and if Chelsea manages to pull off a Champion’s League victory then there may be no movement of significance at all. However, it’s not for certain that Abramovich will be content with Chelsea’s average league season and this summer’s most controversial departure may not even be that of a player. In the modern footballing climate anything can happen and Ancelotti certainly won’t be sleeping too well if Chelsea get knocked out of the Champion’s league sooner rather than later.
Chelsea take on Kobenhavn at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night and will be looking to advance unscathed. They go into the match leading 2-0 on aggregate and should be confident of coming away with a victory and join fellow Londoner’s Tottenham in the quarter finals.
