Five more players for Chelsea to offload this summer

With Demba Ba, Samuel Eto’o Frank Lampard and David Luiz among the names to leave Stamford Bridge this summer, Jose Mourinho is already working to slim down the squad to balance out the new arrivals. However, we can expect more ‘pruning’ before the campaign starts but who are the men most likely to be sold ahead of the big kick off?

1. Fernando Torres

Jose’s summer dealings have helped to make Chelsea new favourites at 2.98 with Betfair to win the Premier League at the end of 2014-15. Last season, our attempts to take the title were undoubtedly hampered by issues in front of goal and while the manager has addressed that situation by bringing in Diego Costa and Didier Drogba, does he need to offload further?

It’s hard to see how Torres’ overall record at Stamford Bridge merits a starting place ahead of the new arrivals and with Romelu Lukaku waiting for his chance, could now be the time to cash in on the misfiring Spaniard?

2. Ryan Bertrand

With Ashley Cole having left the club, Ryan Bertrand may have been hoping for more chances in the Chelsea first team but the arrival of Filipe Luis has consigned the 24 year old to another season on the fringes of the squad.

In his eight years as a professional, the left back has experienced no less than six loan spells and he looks no closer to nailing down a starting place in the first team. Bertrand will surely want more game time in the hope of adding to his two full England caps and a relatively advanced age, a move away from Stamford Bridge seems the most logical option for all concerned.

3. Marko Marin

Two years at Chelsea have so far produced just 15 senior appearances from the attacking midfielder and a fairly uneventful loan spell at Valencia last season doesn’t suggest that Marko Marin will be adding significantly to that number in 2014-15.

Admittedly, injuries didn’t help the player establish himself in his first season at Stamford Bridge but like Kevin De Bruyne before him, it’s hard to see why the German international is being kept in the squad. The man once dubbed as the ‘German Messi’ has seen his career stall since arriving in London and at 25, it’s hard to see why he wouldn’t want to seek a little security and more game time in the season that lies ahead.

4. Victor Moses

Chelsea will rarely sell or loan their players to direct rivals so perhaps it’s a measure of Victor Moses’ standing at the club that Jose was happy to see him cross to Anfield last season. That temporary spell is over after 22 senior appearances for the Reds and once again, the Nigerian international’s career is at the crossroads.

Since signing in 2012, Chelsea have purchased better players in the same position and the presence of Willian, Andre Schurrle and Mohamed Salah make Moses surplus to requirements.

5. Ramires

The curse of the number seven shirt hasn’t exactly blighted the Brazilian international’s career but Ramires’ early success at Chelsea has tailed off a little since that semi final strike against Barcelona in the Champions League.

Back in 2012, he had a reputation for scoring important goals but two years later, he’s known largely for his indiscipline than he is for his productive play. Ramires may still be seen as a useful squad member but Jose has better options and once again, this could be time for the club to cash in and get the best fee possible.