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Chelsea have assembled a world-class squad, and are now regarded as one of the best teams in world football.
Manager Thomas Tuchel led them to Champions League success last season, so much more will be expected from them this time around. Chelsea have world-class players in every position, and their squad depth is one of the best around.
However, not every player will be satisfied with their game time, or rather the lack of it. On that note, here's a look at the five players who could leave Chelsea in the January transfer window.
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#5 Malang Sarr
Malang Sarr's career has stagnated since he joined Chelsea on a free transfer last summer.
A highly-rated prospect during his Nice days, Sarr made more than 100 appearances in all competitions for the Ligue 1 side. Owing to his ability to operate as a centre-back and as a left-back, Chelsea acquired him on a free transfer, which made sense.
Last season, Sarr was loaned to Porto, where his impact was minimal. The 22-year-old is clearly not in Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel's plans. This season, Sarr has made just one appearance for Chelsea, doing so in the EFL Cup. The France U21 international should be looking for a club in January that is willing to offer him regular game time.
#4 Ross Barkley
Chelsea's pursuit of Ross Barkley was contorted and time-consuming, but the midfielder eventually joined the club from Everton in 2018 for £15 million.
Barkley was regarded as one of the best young players in the Premier League when he joined Chelsea. However, he has not developed as many would have expected him to. The England international got minutes during his first few seasons at the club. But is now a squad player who has barely featured this campaign.
Barkley moved to Aston Villa on loan last season, where he enjoyed a good start. But he failed to capitalise on his early season performances, and returned to Chelsea this summer. The 27-year-old has made three appearances in all competitions for Chelsea this season, and has looked sharp when called upon.
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#3 Hakim Ziyech
The case of Chelsea's Hakim Ziyech is a difficult one to explain. While he has produced some good performances, the forward has never looked settled in England.
Ziyech joined Chelsea from Ajax last summer for £36 million. The Morocco international had excelled with the Eredivisie giants, and his creativity and technical qualities were seen as good additions to the Chelsea side. Ziyech has looked good at the Blues, but he has largely struggled for consistency.
The 28-year-old won the Champions League last season, but was linked with a move away from Chelsea this summer. Ziyech has made six appearances in all competitions for the Blues this season, scoring one goal. A move to a less physical league could help him rediscover his mojo.
#2 Ruben Loftus-Cheek
Ruben Loftus-Cheek was once regarded as Chelsea's future. Now, he is fighting to remain at the club.
Loftus-Cheek's talent has never been in question. A physically gifted player with quick feet, the midfielder made his name during a loan spell with Crystal Palace. However, the England international has been unlucky with injuries, which have limited his development.
Loftus-Cheek has been given opportunities at Chelsea, and he has done well when called upon. However, the quality of midfielders that Chelsea possess means that the likes of Loftus-Cheek and Barkley are unlikely to make it as first-team starters at the club. The 25-year old will not be short of suitors if he decides to leave Chelsea in January.
#1 Callum Hudson-Odoi
Like Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Callum Hudson-Odoi is a product of Chelsea's famed Cobham academy.
Hudson-Odoi grabbed the attention of the football world when Bayern Munich displayed a serious interest in signing him in 2019. Chelsea rebuffed their offers, and offered Hudson-Odoi a new, much-improved contract, which he signed to extend his stay at the club.
However, the England international has found game time difficult to come by under Chelsea's current manager Thomas Tuchel.
Hudson-Odoi has often been utilised as a wing-back by the German tactician, who clearly is struggling to find a place for the 20-year old in the Chelsea first team. Cobham graduates like Fikayo Tomori and Tammy Abraham are excelling at other clubs, so Hudson-Odoi could soon join that list. Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich have once again been linked with the England international.
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