NINE PLAYERS TO LEAVE CHELSEA!!!

As the days go by and speculation mounts over players futures up and down the country, it's become clear that despite four players leaving the club already, up to another FIVE could be sold by Chelsea this summer.

We know that Ashley Cole, Samuel Eto'o and Frank Lampard will all leave the club on 1st July as their contracts come to an end in West London, in addition to the £50m sale of David Luiz to PSG. If anything, it's a signal of Chelsea's intent to revamp and rebuild the team for next season and beyond.

We sit and read all the speculation, all the rumours and of course all the opinion on a daily basis because Chelsea is in our blood and in our hearts. We hate the fact the season is over and are counting down the days and weeks until we see Jose Mourinho back training and preparing the team for the title push. For now, the speculation keeps us all busy and we sit, wonder and wait to see what happens.

If numerous reports are to be believed, Jose Mourinho is planning to sell as many as FIVE players to raise a transfer kitty (in addition to what we have already) of approx £75m to invest and make what he believes, a stronger squad and team.

Those five names are as follows and I want to get your opinion on all of them: Fernando Torres, Romelu Lukaku, Petr Cech, John Obi Mikel and Ryan Betrand - all featured on here over the past few weeks.

So what of an article featured in the Daily Express yesterday giving their names, possible fee's involved and the clubs interested.

Fernando Torres.

Valued at £20m, Torres is a name always linked with being sold by Chelsea. Just recently there have been quotes made by Torres indicating that he wants to stay and fight for his place, backed up by Jose himself stating that he believed the Spaniard will stay at Stamford Bridge.

For me £20m is a scandalous amount to even consider selling him for based on what we paid for him but you have to look at his performances and delivering what he is paid to do - score goals and that alone justifies his current price tag.

Over the summer there have been two clubs who have shown an interest being Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan and I just wonder if despite both those previous quotes, Chelsea as a club have looked at the bigger picture and have decided to sell up?

Verdict: Not sure if he will leave.

Romelu Lukaku.

Another name that has featured in many articles and opinion pieces over the summer, Lukaku is without question someone of interest to quite a few Premier League clubs with Everton, Atletico Madrid and Tottenham all being linked with a move for the Belgian.

Rumours of a fall out with the manager persist despite the player himself denying that happened.

The Lukaku story is one of intrigue because one minute we are reading his intention to stay at the club and the next he is talking of leaving. Only recently, Chelsea have reportedly set his asking price too high and could have forced clubs to look elsewhere or even look at another loan deal for the big man.

Having watched his performance for Belgium in their first game against Algeria the other day, it's clear to me that Lukaku is far from the finished product.

Verdict: On his way!

Petr Cech.

The situation with the Chelsea Goalkeepers position at the club has been sewn up for last ten years with Petr Cech being in the commanding position with little or no competition. Times change and with the emergence of Thibaut Courtois at Atletico over the last two seasons in particular, Jose Mourinho has recently confirmed that the young Belgian WILL return to Chelsea this summer.

So where does that leave our record breaking Goalkeeper Petr Cech now? Well I am of the opinion that it could start off with good intentions for both of them to start pre season training together to fight for the number one position in the side but whoever loses out, come the first game of the season, the other will be forced to leave and I believe that will be Cech.

It's such a shame really but whatever happens, no one can take away the legendary status he will have here for what he has achieved being part of the most successful era in the club's history. I have said it earlier but times change and football has to move on. That's why I believe Courtois will herald a new dawn at Chelsea with the focus on the manager building another young team capable of maintaining their title challenge for the next five to ten years.

There are recent reports that in Tottenham, PSG, Monaco and Arsenal would be interested if he was to become available.

Verdict: On his way!

John Obi Mikel.

Mikel did not have the season he wanted at the club last term. Seeing Mourinho return this time last year, you would have thought that the defensive midfield instincts of the Nigerian would have found favour with the manager as he looked to adapt to Chelsea in his second spell as manager. That never materialised and Mikel found himself out of favour.

The signing of Nemanja Matic for me put an end to Mikel's career at Chelsea which again is a shame but it's just the way it is now.

Many people describe Mikel as being like "Martmite" because you either love or hate him which is harsh. Up until the Matic signing, he was the only naturally defensive minded midfielder we had at the club. He is someone who always seems to get himself into the right areas to break up possession, win a tackle and do a job in front of that back four. However, it's what he does with the ball at his feet that frustrates the life out of all of us and has done for a number of years.

You look at the two of them in comparison and you can see just how much better Matic is. He is far better in his all round ability and that's why I cannot see Mourinho keeping Mikel in that position.

There are reports that Inter Milan and Galatasaray are interested in his services if put up for sale.

Verdict: On his way!

Ryan Bertrand.

Bertrand is a stone wall bet to be sold by Chelsea this summer with the likes of Liverpool, Tottenham, Hull, Aston Villa and Southampton all reported to be interested in signing him.

With the departure of Ashley Cole due to the emergence of Cesar Azpilicueta at left back, you would think the club would be looking at the likes of Bertrand or Patrick Van Aanholt to come in and take that position in the squad. Chelsea intent on signing Atletico's Filipe Luis is a clear indication that at this moment in time, the club would rather cash in on them and add valuable money into our kitty to invest in what they believe to be of better quality.

Verdict: On his way!

So there you have it people. Four players already leaving and these FIVE players being touted as more than likely to follow in their footsteps but for a value in the transfer market.

What do you think of their futures at the club, what my opinion has been and if you would also be looking to sell?