By ADAM SHERGOLD
With a change of manager almost certain and big spending inevitable to bridge the gap between West London and Manchester, it’s already set to be a summer of upheaval at Chelsea.
But while Roman Abramovich gets out his cheque book again to sign new, world class players, others will have to make way.
With the restrictions of Financial Fair Play looming, and Champions League football not yet guaranteed, Chelsea will have to slash the wage bill and trim the fat on their bloated squad.
So who is likely to be waved off down the Fulham Road at the end of the campaign?
Frank Lampard
Age: 34 Appearances this season: 36 Joined Chelsea: 2001 Estimated value: £4m
On the verge of becoming Chelsea’s all-time record scorer, Lampard might run out of time to achieve it. The club denied again this week that they are in contract negotiations with the England star, to the great disappointment of fans, who have campaigned vocally for him to be given another year.
Unfortunately, the club believe he’s too long in the tooth to be worth the wages and a move, almost certainly to the United States or Asia, will signal a parting of the ways after 13 glorious years.
Chances of being sold: 9/10
Fernando Torres
Age: 28 Appearances this season: 48 Joined Chelsea: 2011 Estimated value: £25m
Disliked by most of the fans and a laughing stock to everyone else, it’s surely time for Chelsea to cut their losses and admit Fernando Torres was a waste of money.
With every miss of a glaring goal, another few thousand pounds are chiselled off his value, which stands at about half of the £50m Chelsea paid. They need to get rid sharpish and invest in someone who’s scored more than two goals since December.
Florent Malouda
Age: 32 Appearances this season: 0 Joined Chelsea: 2007 Estimated value: £2m
Malouda, once so important to Chelsea, has been essentially exiled within his own club this season. He should have been on his way last summer, with plenty of interest from Brazil and also from Lyon, but his greedy wage demands worked against him.
Consequently, Chelsea excluded him from their Champions League squad, sent him to the reserves and a player who made 42 appearances last season has made none. Needs to swallow his pride and get on his way.
Chances of being sold: 10/10
Paulo Ferreira
Age: 34 Appearances this season: 5 Joined Chelsea: 2004 Estimated value: £500,000
A fine servant for Chelsea over the best part of a decade, but well down the pecking order now and, at 34, hardly the player the club will hang on to despite a wealth of experience. Is out of contract in the summer too, another reason why he’ll be out the door this summer.
Chances of being sold: 10/10
Marko Marin
Age: 23 Appearances this season: 13 Joined Chelsea 2012 Estimated value: £6m
Signed last summer as a hot prospect, it may be a little harsh to stick Marin on the transfer list given that first team opportunities have been very limited so far.
He’ll hope for more, but equally the abundance of talent at the club in his attacking midfield position mean it will be wise for the German to seek new pastures – or at least head out on loan.
Chances of being sold: 6/10
Yossi Benayoun
Age: 32 Appearances this season: 6 (for Chelsea) Joined Chelsea: 2010 Estimated value: £2m
A player more favoured by Benitez, his former boss at Liverpool, than he ever was by Roberto Di Matteo, Benayoun has actually started playing some regular football since damaging ligaments during his loan spell with West Ham.
However, Benitez is unlikely to be around to pick him next season and, with his contract expiring, Chelsea will most likely offload.
Chances of being sold: 7/10
Henrique Hilario
Age: 37 Appearances this season: 0 Joined Chelsea: 2006 Estimated value: £400,000
Third choice keeper who hasn’t featured this season. His contract is up and Chelsea will want him off the wage bill.
Chances of being sold: 9/10
Michael Essien
Age: 30 Appearances this season: 25 (for Real Madrid) Joined Chelsea: 2005 Estimated value: £14m
Essien still has two years to run on his Chelsea contract, but having spent the season appearing regularly for Real Madrid, you wonder if anyone at Stamford Bridge will remember he’s still on the books.
Given the plentiful alternatives in Chelsea’s midfield, they will be tempted to try and get whatever they can for the Ghanaian, either from Real or someone else.
Chances of being sold: 6/10
Jeffrey Bruma
Age: 21 Appearances this season: 9 (for Hamburg) Joined Chelsea: 2007 Estimated value: £3m
Tipped to become Chelsea’s regular centre-back in a few years, Bruma has benefited greatly from regular match experience in the Bundesliga with Hamburg.
There have been reports in the German press recently that HSV want to sign him permanently, and Chelsea may be tempted given they’re well accommodated in this part of the pitch. He’s certain to be loaned out again in any case.
Chances of being sold: 6/10
