Firstly I would like to thank every single one of you who took the time to read my blog. Your support has been truly outstanding and I thank you for that. Following on from my previous blog about which players, Chelsea should sign during the 2011 summer transfer window; I felt that my next blog had to link in with my first blog (5 Players that Chelsea FC should sign during the 2011 Summer Transfer Window). After talking to several people, it seemed fitting that we should look which players Chelsea should sell this summer. This is a hard topic to discuss as some of the players in this blog are fans favourites, which some fans would disagree. But after serious consideration and research, here are the 5 players whom I feel that Chelsea should let go off this summer.
Didier Drogba:
Age: 33 Appearances (Goals): 306 (144) Signed from: Olympique de Marseille (£24million, 2004)
Possible Destinations: AC Milan, Tottenham Hotspur, Real Madrid and Galatasaray
Transfer Value: £8-15million
Possibly one of the hardest and possibly most controversial decisions I had to make when putting this list together. For months now, speculation has been building surrounding the future of the giant Ivorian. Many fans are split between the ideas of Drogba leaving the Bridge this summer. Some fans have expressed their desire for striker to stay at the club, whilst others would be happy to see Didier leave as it would allow new and young strikers, such as young Danny Sturridge, to come into the side and become their new heroes.
For years, Drogba has been the main spearhead of our attack and has been the one that we have relied on to score goals. Initially, Drogba took a while to adapt to the English Premier League and his debut season was hampered by a hamstring injury which forced him to miss two months of the season. Despite this slow start, Drogba has improved season by season and has achieved two Golden Boot awards. At his time at Chelsea the Ivory Coast captain has scored 144 goals, 95 of which were in the Premier League.
Many fans would agree with me when I say that Drogba has been a valuable player in all three of our title winning seasons. He played a huge role in our historic League and Cup double winning season in the 2009/10 season, bagging an amazing 37 goals in all competitions, including the winner in the 2010 FA Cup Final. However, Drogba’s form dipped last season showing his frailties and possibly showed signs that he is past his best. The striker managed to only score 13 goals in all competitions. Although this could have been due to malaria or any injuries he occurred during the season, Drogba did not perform to his best abilities even when he was on form.
His failure to link with Fernando Torres has been a big disappointment to both fans and staff at Chelsea. Whenever they were paired together neither showed any communication or passion that we have seen from Drogba before. The pair had only scored 4 goals between them during the second half of the season, and this failure may have signalled the end of Didier Drogba. Age has also been a key factor in why some fans would want Didier Drogba to leave. The Ivorian will turn 34 next March and some fans would like to see some new and fresh talent emerge to take over Drogba’s position and become Chelsea’s new spearhead. If Drogba was to leave, then Chelsea would lose a massive gap in their strike force. The strength and aggression that Drogba provides is considered to be irreplaceable. He is our main striker who will guarantee you goals and his presence on the pitch is immense. However, should he leave Romelu Lukaku would be an ideal replacement.
However, were Drogba to leave, then a club would have to pay around £12million to Chelsea along with Drogba’s £120,000-a-week wages. The possibility of a reunion with the man that had brought Drogba to the Bridge, Jose Mourinho, is on the cards with a move to Spanish giant Real Madrid. Rivals Tottenham Hotspur have also been reported to be interested, whilst they have been reports that Drogba could be heading to Turkish club Galatasaray in a deal which involves captain Arda Turan moving in the opposite direction. But his high wage demands may put other clubs off, which could mean that the 33-year old striker may be at the Bridge for another season. Should Drogba leave in the summer, I wish him all the best of luck in the future and thank him for being a superb player.
Salomon Kalou:
Age: 25 Appearances (Goals): 227 (55) Signed from: Feyenoord Rotterdam (£9million, 2006)
Possible Destinations: Arsenal, Liverpool
Transfer Value: £5-10million
Whilst doing my research I asked people which player they would expect Chelsea to sell during the summer and the majority of people suggested Salomon Kalou, and it is quite hard to disagree with them. Since his arrival in 2006, Kalou has failed to shine and prove that he is an out and out striker and has been regarded as one of the worst players to have worn a Chelsea shirt. That statement is deemed a bit too harsh. Kalou has shown glimpses of his ability and goal scoring prowess. Kalou has got us some decisive goals, most notably the winner against Tottenham in that controversial match last season (2010/2011) and the equaliser against Manchester United in 2008 which preserved our unbeaten home record (at the time).
However, Kalou’s goal scoring record isn’t great. Managing a mere 55 goals in his 5 years at Chelsea shows that Kalou cannot be relied on to score goals. Kalou does have great pace and is more effective as a sub, coming off the bench to attack at tired defenders. But we need a player who is just as effective if he starts. The Ivorian’s lack of first touch and lack of goals scored makes him an obvious player who will probably leave the Bridge this summer. With Chelsea poised to sign Lukaku and possibly Neymar, Kalou will fall further down the pecking order and a move away would be ideal for the striker.
Should Kalou leave, and Chelsea not recruit any more strikers, it could leave us with a hole in our attacking department. Kalou is still only 25 years of age and has many years to come, unlike Drogba and Anelka, who both have two or three years left. Providing the right manager comes along, Kalou could still be transformed into a real striker, or a winger. However, this idea might not just happen and the idea of Kalou being sold this summer is a big possibility.
A fee around the region of £8million would be seen as an ideal payment to secure the services of the Ivorian. British clubs such as Arsenal and Liverpool are seen as potential destinations for Kalou; however I doubt that Chelsea will sell one of their players to their main title rivals.
Jose Bosingwa:
Age: 28 Appearances (Goals): 76 (2) Signed from: FC Porto (£16.3million, 2008)
Possible Destinations: AC Milan, Juventus, Bayern Munich
Transfer Value: £10-15million
Having signed from FC Porto for £16.3million, Chelsea thought they had found their new permanent right-back. However, this joy was short-lived as injuries and consistency have plagued Bosingwa’s Chelsea career. Initially Bosingwa showed signs of being a brilliant footballer. He would bomb down the flanks causing havoc to other full-backs and producing beautiful balls into the box. But a serious knee injury at the beginning of the 2009/10 season left Bosingwa out of action for year and since his return, he has never reached the same ability which persuaded Chelsea to sign the Portuguese full-back.
Following that injury, Bosingwa’s ability to produce crosses never seem to go past the first defender, effectively losing the ball and forcing him to retreat back. Yet he still possesses the talent to attack down the flanks and support the wingers. His defensive abilities, however, are questionable. His performance against Manchester United in the Champions League quarter-final first leg, showed his defensive frailties. 37-year-old Ryan Giggs managed to run past him at ease before pulling the ball back for United to grab what proved to be the winner.
In the league, the full-back has only played 21 games in the last two years, in which he has mainly been affected by injuries and lack of match-fitness. However, he has shown some dazzling performances at right-back and if he is prepared to act as an understudy to Branislav Ivanovic, then we should let him stay as he would be an ideal replacement should Ivanovic get injured or suspended.
If Bosingwa were to leave, then I’d think that Chelsea would like to recuperate as much as they could from the £16.3million that he cost. The Portuguese international was given a one-year extension to his contract in January, so should he leave during the summer, Chelsea would be entitled to a sum of around £12million. With Italian giants, AC Milan and Juventus chasing the full-back, so any possible move would result in a plus for Bosingwa.
Yuri Zhirkov:
Age: 27 Appearances (Goals): 48 (1) Signed from: CSKA Moscow (£18million, 2009)
Possible Destinations: Zenit St. Petersburg, CSKA Moscow, Rubin Kazan
Transfer value: £10-15million
Following his £18million move from Russia, Zhirkov has failed to make an impact in the Premier League. The fact that he has made only 48 appearances in the last two years shows that Zhirkov is deemed as a squad player than a main player. Initially brought to provide competition to Ashley Cole, Zhirkov has failed to dislodge the England left-back and with players such as Ryan Bertrand and Patrick van Aanholt showing promise at various loan spells and in the reserves, Zhirkov may fall further down the pecking order.
Dubbed the Russian Ronaldinho, Zhirkov first arrived to the club with high expectations. Being able to play either at left-back or at left-wing, injuries have hampered Zhirkov’s chances of playing many games. His brilliant volley against Spartak Moscow, which to date his is only goal for Chelsea, is probably his best out of a few highlights in a Chelsea shirt.
However, should Zhirkov leave we would be losing a versitile player. With Zhirkov able to play anywhere down the left-hand side, he is an ideal player to bring on should we need more flair and life down the left flanks. Despite being seen as our second-choice player and his limited chances, Zhirkov has shown at times why Chelsea forked out £18million for the Russian. His performance against Man United in the league showed Chelsea fans what he can offer.
Many fans feel that Zhirkov hasn’t been given enough chances to prove that he is worthy of being a regular. Injury hasn’t helped his case as it is seen as one of the reasons for his lack of apperances. Should Chelsea keep him, it may be wise should anything happen to Ashley Cole or Florent Malouda. But with his lack of chances also affecting his selection chances for the national squad, the Russian may feel that a move away will help his cause and give him more game time.
Paulo Ferreira:
Age: 32 Appearances (Goals): 198 (2) Signed from: FC Porto (£13.2million, 2004)
Possible Destinations: Benfica,
Transfer value: £5-8million
After signing from Mourinho’s former team, FC Porto, in 2004, Ferreira quickly established himself as our number one right-back. However, following four managerial changes, Ferreira has falling down the pecking order and sometimes deemed as a squad player and is of the last remaining signings from the Jose Mourinho era. But Ferreira is one of Chelsea’s loyalist players and is seen as a good squad player, despite the lack of games played in the last couple of seasons.
It is quite hard to say something bad about Paulo Ferreira. Although he has seen several other players take his position at right-back, Ferreira has remained loyal and reliable to the team. Whenever he is called upon, he will us 110% and will always step up to the plate. Many Chelsea fans have acknowledged Ferreira’s loyalty and ability and it is those features which make him an admirable player whom we find hard to despise. Jose Mourinho once described him as “a player who will never be man of the match but will always score 7/10 for his individual display”.
However, come next January, Ferreira will turn 33 and age has probably caught him up. He isn’t a pacy full-back that we need. He can bomb down the flanks, but his balls into the box aren’t great and he is usually beaten by fast wingers such as Gareth Bale. Fast wingers, do cause Ferreira quite a bit of problems and we need a full-back who isn’t afraid of taking on the pace along with support our attacks. Because of these issues, Ferreira is resigned to spend his time on our bench waiting for opportunities as we have other full-backs such as Jose Bosingwa and Branislav Ivanovic ahead of him.
With two years let on his current contract, this may be the ideal opportunity to cash in on Ferreira. Should Ferreira go, we will not only be losing a player but a great, loyal player whose praises are rarely sung. We will also be letting go off a reliable full-back who we can count on if an injury to any of our current players occurred. However, whether Ferreira stays or leaves the Bridge this summer, I will be behind his choice and I wish him all the best for the future.
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A new manager means a new era and following the appointment of Andre Villas-Boas, change is to be expected. Villas-Boas is known for using a youthful squad. The average age of his treble winning squad was a mere 24.5 years of age. Therefore fans should expect the older generation to step aside as Villa-Boas would be looking to reduce the average age of the squad. Along with the new Financial Fair Play rules, which UEFA plan to introduce at the start of the 2012/13 season, Chelsea will be looking to slash their wage bills which are currently the highest in the League (£172 million). Age plays a huge part in deciding who will leave the Bridge in the summer. The elder players will be most likely to be shown the door along with the high earners whom rarely start a match.
Writing this blog was always going to be hard as I was going to dicuss fan’s favourites and some of my favourite Blues, but I’ve tried my best to talk about why each of my mentioned players should/will be shown the door. However, should players leave Chelsea this summer; we cannot afford a repeat of last summer’s business where we allowed many big names to leave without replacing them. Therefore should Chelsea release players this summer, we must ensure that we buy someone who can replace them and will make a difference in the squad. Whoever Chelsea allow to leave in the summer, on behalf of all the Chelsea fans, I wish them all the best for the future and thank them for all that they have done.
I hope you have enjoyed reading my blog and I’d like to hear all your views on who you think will leave in the summer. Either leave a comment or tweet me @jamesa18 and make sure you look out for my next blog.
Thank you,
James
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