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5 players Chelsea must upgrade to get back in the Champions League

By Rucker Haringey

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 19: Sesc Fabregas (2nd R) of Chelsea reacts after scoring his team's second goal from the penalty during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and West Ham United at Stamford Bridge on March 19, 2016 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alex Morton/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 19: Sesc Fabregas (2nd R) of Chelsea reacts after scoring his team's second goal from the penalty during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and West Ham United at Stamford Bridge on March 19, 2016 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alex Morton/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 13 : John Terry of Chelsea waves as he is substituted during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge on February 13, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 13 : John Terry of Chelsea waves as he is substituted during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge on February 13, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images) /

4. John Terry

Whereas Azpilicueta’s inclusion on this list may have surprised some Chelsea fans, no one should be surprised by reading John Terry’s name here. He’s likely done with Chelsea and based on his play, shouldn’t be offered anything more than a bit part at Stamford Bridge next season.

Terry has been a terrific servant of the club, but modern football is a what have you done for me lately business. The harsh truth is that the game has begun to pass Terry by and his performance this season has been sub-par. He’s not up to the challenge of being a starting centre-back for a top Premier League side any longer.

There’s no shame in that fact for the 35-year-old English international. It’s completely normal for a professional football player’s game to start to slow down in his mid-30s. Terry’s Whoscored.com player rating average of just 6.62 in 23 Premier League starts makes it very clear that he’s at least one step off the pace.

This is one spot where I think it’s almost a certainty that Chelsea will bring in reinforcements via the transfer window. They’ll hope that Kurt Zouma recovers from injury to man one spot, but his partner will need to be purchased this summer. Terry can stay on the team, but only if he’s happy with a greatly diminished role on the pitch.

Next: 3. Nemanja Matic

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