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Five players Chelsea must sell in January

By Ryan Willox

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 15: Antonio Conte, Manager of Chelsea gives his team instructions during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Leicester City at Stamford Bridge on October 15, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 15: Antonio Conte, Manager of Chelsea gives his team instructions during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Leicester City at Stamford Bridge on October 15, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /
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SWANSEA, WALES – SEPTEMBER 11: Chelsea player Branislav Ivanovic in action during the Premier League match between Swansea City and Chelsea at Liberty Stadium on September 11, 2016 in Swansea, Wales. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
SWANSEA, WALES – SEPTEMBER 11: Chelsea player Branislav Ivanovic in action during the Premier League match between Swansea City and Chelsea at Liberty Stadium on September 11, 2016 in Swansea, Wales. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) /

5. Branislav Ivanovic

This will be a tough one to swallow for a lot of Chelsea fans. Currently the club’s longest-serving player, Ivanovic has been a reliably consistent performer through the best times in the club’s history.

A two-time Premier League champion, with winner’s medals from both major UEFA competitions in his years at Stamford Bridge, there was a time when his name vied for first on the teamsheet alongside the likes of Petr Cech, John Terry and Frank Lampard.

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But the harsh reality is that he is coming to the end of his contract, and at 32, his form isn’t likely to improve. It is not unreasonable to suggest we have long since seen the best of Ivanovic in a Chelsea shirt.

Plus, given Conte’s preference for a 3-5-2 formation, Ivanovic has had to make way for Gary Cahill, David Luiz and Cesar Azpillicueta.

West Ham United are thought to be interested, and much like Sir Alex Ferguson did with the likes of Phil Neville, Wes Brown and John O’ Shea, allowing the defender some golden years at an established top flight outfit would be a fitting mark of respect.

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