5. Cesar Azpilicueta
Cesar Azpilicueta has been a loyal Chelsea servant for ten years. He is one of the most decorated Spanish players in the Blues’ history. However, the 32-year-old is past his prime, with his current contract set to expire in 2023.
According to Mundo Deportivo, the versatile Spaniard can play anywhere across the backline and is eager to join Barcelona. Azpilicueta has almost won everything there is to win at Chelsea, and this could be his final chance to join another top club.
Azpilicueta could be a leader in the Barcelona dressing room, and it could be a fitting end for one of his generation’s most underappreciated players.
4. Ross Barkley
Ross Barkley appears unlikely to be able to save his Chelsea career at this point. He’s been on the fringes all season, and his last appearance for the Blues came in the League Cup against Brentford on December 22.
This season, he has made 12 appearances for Thomas Tuchel’s side, starting only four of them. This season, the Englishman, who was once considered the next big thing, has yet to score a goal or provide an assist.
Barkley could still play regular football for a lower-tier club, and at 28 years old, he shouldn’t be warming the bench any longer.
3. Callum Hudson-Odoi
Under Thomas Tuchel, Callum Hudson-Odoi has shown flashes of his ability. In Tuchel’s three-at-the-back system, he has been forced to play out of position. It has, predictably, not gone over well with Hudson-Odoi, who is a natural winger.
He has slipped down Chelsea’s pecking order, and an Achilles tendon injury forced him to miss the first two months of the season. In attack, the 21-year-old is unlikely to displace Hakim Ziyech, Kai Havertz, Mason Mount, or Christian Pulisic.
He’ll probably continue to play second fiddle to Reece James at right wing-back. For a team that uses a system that plays to his strengths, the youngster could do so much better. He should try to leave Chelsea this summer.
Hudson-Odoi has three goals and six assists in 28 appearances for Chelsea across all competitions so far this season.
2. Timo Werner
In the summer of 2020, Chelsea paid £47.7 million to RB Leipzig for Timo Werner. The fact that they spent £101.7 million and broke their transfer record the following summer to sign Romelu Lukaku, another striker, speaks volumes about Werner’s impact.
He has not been able to fulfill the role of a prolific goalscorer at Chelsea, despite his excellent link-up play. That was why he was brought in the first place. Werner has scored 23 goals and provided 21 assists in 89 appearances for the Blues in all competitions during the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons.
He’s been far too inconsistent this season, and he hasn’t played as much as he would have liked. This season, Werner has only started 15 Premier League games.
The Germany international should be able to find suitors this summer and secure a transfer, as his situation in the English Premier League is unlikely to improve.
1. Kepa Arrizabalaga
When Chelsea signed Kepa Arrizabalaga from Athletic Bilbao for £72 million ahead of the 2018-19 season, he became their most expensive signing at the time. The Spaniard had a forgettable first season in the Premier League and was eventually replaced by Edouard Mendy.
This season, the 27-year-old has only started four Premier League games. However, he has proven his worth in the League Cup. Tuchel, on the other hand, does not appear convinced enough to start Kepa in the Premier League or the Champions League on a regular basis.
The 27-year-old has remained composed in the face of adversity, but with the FIFA World Cup in 2022 approaching, he needs to secure a departure chevalier. If Kepa is to make the Spain squad for the tournament, he must play regular football.
Chelsea could also profit from Arrizabalaga’s sale, as his quality has been on display this season.