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5 Chelsea players Antonio Conte should axe in January

By Rucker Haringey

COBHAM, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 23: Antonio Conte of Chelsea during a training session at Chelsea Training Ground on September 23, 2016 in Cobham, England. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
COBHAM, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 23: Antonio Conte of Chelsea during a training session at Chelsea Training Ground on September 23, 2016 in Cobham, England. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 24: Gary Cahill of Chelsea reacts during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium on September 24, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 24: Gary Cahill of Chelsea reacts during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium on September 24, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /

4. Gary Cahill

It may seem counterintuitive that Conte might choose to sell a central defender this January when he’ll need three in his preferred formation. Unfortunately for Gary Cahill, his play has been so inconsistent that Conte should still get rid of him in January.

He’s started all six Premier League matches this season out of absolute necessity. Otherwise, his poor play would have surely gotten him a seat on the Blues’ bench. In particular, John Terry’s injury absence has left the manager with no other options.

Aside from his weak play this season, he’s also starting to get up there in age. 30 isn’t exactly old for a central defender, but it does mean that he isn’t likely to improve any over the next season or two. It’s hard to see him growing into a key part of Conte’s squad.

That means that Cahill, much like Moses, needs to be sold while he still has some transfer value left. If Chelsea get any sort of reasonable offer for him this winter, they’ll accept it in a heartbeat.

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