Which players are likely to leave Chelsea this January?

Chelsea struggled to shift their fringe players last summer with clubs unwilling to make significant moves amid the financial complications of COVID-19. But things could be different this January window…

It has been well-documented how poor Chelsea have been of late.

Having lost four of their last six Premier League games, Frank Lampard has been under immense pressure with the club reportedly looking for potential managerial replacements if the Blues form does not improve.

During such turmoil, which has been somewhat eased after Chelsea’s 4-0 dismantling of League Two side Morecambe in the third round of the FA Cup, attentions have been turned to the transfer window.

It is expected that the London club will be focused on offloading unwanted players as opposed to signing new recruits, following their £200m spending spree on the likes of Timo Werner, Kai Havertz, Ben Chilwell, Hakim Ziyech and Edouard Mendy.

Though transfer plans could all but change as player sales may be able to fund a move for number one target Declan Rice from West Ham; a player they could not afford in the summer.

So, find out all of Chelsea’s potential outgoings below, ordered in the likelihood of the move materialising.

Lucas Piazon (Midfielder)

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Recently recalled following the termination of his loan at Rio Ave, Lucas Piazon is set to return to Portugal this January, with a move to Braga expected to be made official in the coming days.

As reported by Portuguese outlet Record Futebol, the Brazilian is said to have already agreed personal terms with Braga, though it is unclear whether the move will be on loan or a permanent transfer with just six months remaining in his current deal at Stamford Bridge.

The 26-year old, who made just three first team outings for the Blues, has been loaned out on seven times since his arrival from Sao Paulo in 2011 and is currently the longest-serving player in the current Chelsea squad.

It is understood that Chelsea have an option to extend his deal by an extra year, but are eager to part ways with the player in the interest of all parties involved.

Fikayo Tomori (Defender)

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Fikayo Tomori has found himself out of favour in recent months, mainly down to the form of the Blues’ preferred central defensive partnership of Thiago Silva and Kurt Zouma.

It was well-documented that the 23-year-old nearly joined David Moyes’ West Ham on loan on deadline day and rumours of another potential loan deal have speculated, with the likes of Newcastle, Leeds and Rennes all reportedly interested.

The plans for his departure looked set to change due to Andreas Christensen suffering a knee injury against Aston Villa, meaning the Englishman would step up as Lampard’s third-choice centre-back in the Danish international’s absences.

However, Lampard has since confirmed that the young defender is likely to leave on loan this month after being left out of the starting line-up in his side’s win against Morecambe.

In the post-match press conference after the match, the Chelsea boss said: “The situation with Fikayo is open at the moment.

“There is a possibility he could be going on loan to get games somewhere else.

“So that would have to be the solution for him and the club. That was part of my thinking of not starting him today.”

Danny Drinkwater (Midfielder)

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Danny Drinkwater joined Chelsea for £35m in 2017 and has made just 23 appearances for the club with his last competitive game for them coming in the Community Shield against Manchester City in August 2018.

A Premier League title winner with Leicester City, the 30-year-old has been training and playing with the Blues U23’s squad and stole the headlines last month when he was sent off for kicking out at 16-year-old Tottenham Hotspur player Alfie Devine.

Drinkwater has been looking for a permanent move away in order to resurrect his career after unsuccessful loan moves to Aston Villa and Burnley.

It was revealed last week that advanced talks have been taken with Turkish side Kasimpasa, who are 14th in the Turkish Super Lig, with Chelsea keen to trim his 110k-a-week wages of their bill.

Although, as understood by sources close to the club, Drinkwater is not any closer to completing a move away this window. But it has become a matter of when, not if, a deal will be made in the coming months as the agent and player are mull their options and find the best fit.

Antonio Rudiger (Defender)

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Similar to Tomori, Antonio Rudiger has played very limited minutes this season, albeit more than the former.

The German international has been vocal about not accepting a predominant bench role with the European Championship taking place in the summer.

Despite responding well to being frozen out the squad following a good chat with Lampard, not much has changed in the 27-year-old’s playing time and both parties are of the agreeance that if a good financial offer came in for the player this month, he would be free to leave.

Just like in the summer, Chelsea have found it difficult to find suitors who are able to match Rudiger’s transfer price and his wages, especially in the current climate.

Plus, a loan deal isn’t ideal for any party, with his contract expiring in the summer.

With interest from clubs in France, England and of course, Germany, it will be a race between Rudiger and Tomori to see who can find their way out of the Blue side of London first.

Jorginho (Midfielder)

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It is common knowledge that Chelsea tried to move Jorginho on in the summer.

However, the midfielder, who signed for £57m from Napoli alongside the appointment Maurizio Sarri in 2018, opted to stay and fight for his spot at Stamford Bridge.

Said decision has since paid off for the Italian; having plenty of game time under Lampard so far this season.

Though Jorginho’s days are ultimately numbered in west London as his departure is directly related to a pursuit of another player – Declan Rice.

Yet again the same problem arises as Chelsea are reliant on finding a club who can afford to buy and pay his wages while a loan deal, like Rudiger, just isn’t suitable.

As a player who has divided the Blues’ fanbase like no other, another problem is that Jorginho’s specialist, “regista” role makes him someone who will only fit a minute number of systems and manager preferences.

If only Sarri was employed elsewhere, ay?

Oliver Giroud (Striker)

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To the delight of many Chelsea supporters, it is now confirmed that Olivier Giroud will be staying in London until his contract expires in the summer following months of speculation.

Rumours of a move away have been circulating since the restart last season when it was believed Giroud was pushing for more consistent first-team football in order to maintain his place in the French national team.

Fueled by Didier Deschamps’ comments that he should leave the Bridge for more consistent game time, the 34-year-old was heavily linked to both Inter Milan and Juventus.

But with seven goals in his last seven appearances, including a magnificent four goals against Sevilla in the Champions League in early December, the Frenchman will be an important figure for the Blues for the remainder of the campaign and someone Lampard can rely upon.

Frank has shown his appreciation for Giroud on a number of occasions this season, claiming: “He is the ultimate professional and I think he’s done that in his career and I think that’s why with Oli, you see his numbers with France, you see his numbers in the Champions League.

“He wasn’t always a regular when I got here but as soon as I came in I could feel the positivity of him as a player – how he wants to train, how he wants to affect people whether he starts or not.”

Despite all the claims of Giroud staying put in London, reports have emerged over the last few days that he could be on his way to the east of the capital as a replacement for compatriot Sebastian Haller, who departed West Ham for Ajax.

Although unlikely, crazier things have happened in football.

Other honourable mentions, but are not as likely to leave this January, include: Marcos Alonso, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Willy Caballero, Abdul Rahman Baba and Billy Gilmour

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