Have Chelsea become too much of a selling club?
‘Selling club’ is not a term one would associate with the rich and powerful Chelsea, but they have let some superb players leave a little too soon in recent times, as this much-improved line up shows…
GK: Petr Cech
Now at Arsenal, Petr Cech is perhaps the best goalkeeper in Chelsea’s history, and would have been ideal as a backup now with Thibaut Courtois set to miss most of this season injured.
DR: Branislav Ivanovic
A fine right-back, Branislav Ivanovic may not be on top form right now but remains an experienced and important part of this Chelsea team.
DL: Cesar Azpilicueta
Although it looked like Ashely Cole may have been let go too soon, Cesar Azpilicueta has done a great job since becoming first choice, while the former England international has flopped at AS Roma.
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DC: David Luiz
Not the best defender in the world by a long way, but David Luiz would be a little more useful at Chelsea now after the rapid decline of John Terry in defence.
DC: Gary Cahill
A player who often performed well alongside Luiz, Gary Cahill remains a key part of this Chelsea squad, despite its overall struggles.
MC: Nemanja Matic
One of the best defensive midfielders in the world, Nemanja Matic was actually let go by Chelsea earlier in his career before they re-signed him – how they wish they could do the same with some others on this list!
MC: Juan Mata
A much better playmaker than Cesc Fabregas these days, Juan Mata has shone at Manchester United, who certainly got the better deal when he moved for £37.1m between the two rivals.
AMR: Arjen Robben
Inexplicably sold to Real Madrid earlier in his career, Arjen Robben has gone on to become one of the best attacking players in the world, and should have been kept at Chelsea after a bright start, even if he had some troubles with injury.
AML: Eden Hazard
Another super skillful player, Eden Hazard is still at Chelsea and a vital part of how the Blues play.
AMC: Kevin De Bruyne
Stupidly let go for just £16m, Kevin De Bruyne quickly became one of the best creative players in Europe at Wolfsburg, before returning to the Premier League with Manchester City this summer in a stunning £55m deal.
FC: Romelu Lukaku
Sold for a big fee to Everton, but Chelsea would surely rather have the player instead, with Romelu Lukaku one of the best young strikers in the world and an ideal long-term replacement for Didier Drogba.
