5 Chelsea players who could leave in January

With the Sarriball revolution well underway at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea players are adapting to their new manager and the new system quite well as the 2018/19 season progresses.

The Blues have won all four of their Premier League matches to start the campaign well thus far, and Sarri's players are enjoying their new brand of attacking football that they lacked under their previous managers.

However, not all is well for some Chelsea players who are currently finding it difficult to break into the first-team picture at present. Sarri, who is well-known for maintaining a consistent line-up and minimal squad rotation when possible, some big names could leave west London in search of regular football elsewhere.

With that in mind, here is a list of the top five players whose opportunities appear bleak with the Blues and thus, should consider making a move elsewhere ahead of the winter transfer window.

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#5 Emerson Palmieri

Emerson played for Brazil at under-17 level before switching his allegiance to Italy

Emerson Palmieri was an exciting, albeit under-the-radar acquisition for Chelsea last season. The Italian left-back made 47 appearances and scored two goals for Serie A side AS Roma prior to joining Antonio Conte's Chelsea side in January this year.

Since then though, he has only made a mere seven appearances for the Blues - mainly due to the fact that Marcos Alonso is the current first-choice in his position, while a lengthy ACL injury sustained in Rome means that he has been treated with caution.

#4 Davide Zappacosta

Zappacosta, here against Huddersfield last season, has made 35 appearances for the Blues

Zappacosta joined Chelsea on deadline day last year from Serie A side Torino, for a reported €28m (£25m) fee. He has made 35 appearances (all comps), scoring twice and assisting two more - but Sarri's presence at the club has seen his opportunities appear increasingly bleak.

Cesar Azpilicueta has moved to the right of their central defensive trio, while Victor Moses appears intent on making the wing-back berth his own once more. With that in mind, it's perhaps time for the full-back to look elsewhere to relaunch his career.

#3 Danny Drinkwater

Drinkwater has struggled for rhythm at his new employers

Drinkwater, signed for £30m from Premier League champions Leicester City, was a surprising deal to say the least when announced on deadline day twelve months ago.

He made 23 appearances (all comps) after signing with the Blues, though has struggled for consistency given the number of troublesome injuries he has suffered - which saw his minutes limited.

A summer move was rumoured to be on the cards, with Southampton, West Ham, Crystal Palace and former side Leicester all interested in the 28-year-old's services, though a proposed deal failed to materialise. It's unlikely that his situation will change much between now and January, by which time he should decide what his next career move is.

#2 Cesc Fabregas

Fabregas is a World Cup and two-time European Cup winner, though his Chelsea future is uncertain

The former Arsenal and Barcelona creative midfielder has enjoyed an excellent four-year spell with the Blues.

Two Premier League titles, FA Cup and a League Cup trophy in west London, he quickly became one of the first names on the team sheet every week under Jose Mourinho's management as the Portuguese was a huge admirer of the Spaniard's quality in the final third. He has made 183 appearances to date, scoring 21 goals and creating 55 assists besides.

Currently sidelined through injury, N'Golo Kanté is building a good relationship with summer acquisition Jorginho, while Mateo Kovacic (on-loan from Real Madrid) could partner the pair to combine as a midfield trio as the weeks progress. Ross Barkley and Ruben Loftus-Cheek are both bullish about their chances of breaking into the Blues midfield on a regular basis, meaning it is increasingly tough to see where Fabregas fits in among all of this.

With a more attacking and fast-paced style under Sarri, it could be time for the 31-year-old maestro to bid farewell to the Blues and find a new home soon.

#1 Willian

Willian: A man in demand

"When I arrived here, my plan was to stay here as long as possible and now I am here for five years, I hope to stay five more," Willian told Chelsea's official website.

However with the Blues' policy on contract extensions only providing twelve-month renewals for players over 30, this could be the Brazilian's swansong year at Stamford Bridge.

The technically gifted player, well-known for his explosive playing style, was linked with a handful of clubs including Barcelona and Manchester United this past summer. Chelsea did well to retain him, though time will tell just how long that does last - not least with Pedro's impressive start to the campaign seeing his minutes decrease.