Three players who have absolutely no future at Chelsea

#2 Davide Zappacosta

Antonio Conte was quick to poach Italian right-back Davide Zappacosta for a fee in the region of €25 million from Italian outfit Torino on the deadline day in the summer of 2017. He was roped in to provide a healthy competition to Victor Moses, who had apparently flourished in his new right wing-back role at the Stamford Bridge.

However, with Antonio Conte gone, the 26-year-old’s future at the club looks more uncertain than ever.

When Zappacosta arrived, Chelsea operated in 3-5-2 formation that had Victor Moses and Marcos Alonso as the first-choice wing-backs, with Zappacosta providing the ideal cover for Moses on the right. Conte also deployed right-back Cesar Azpilicueta as a right center-back in the three-man defence alongside any two of Gary Cahill, Antonio Rudiger, David Luiz and Andreas Christensen as the remaining two center-backs.

However, with Sarri having reverted to a four-man defence, Azpilicueta has been reinstated in his original role as a right-back. WIth Victor Moses functioning as the second-choice right-back, Zappacosta has fallen down the pecking order and might as well consider leaving London, should the right offer present itself on the table.

According to Metro, the Italian defender is open to a switch back to his home country with Inter Milan showing their interest in acquiring his services. It remains to be seen whether he decides to bide his time or trigger the transfer option in search of regular playing opportunities.

#1 Cesc Fabregas

Now, Cesc Fabregas was actually very happy when the club hierarchy decided that Maurizio Sarri was the right man to take over from Antonio Conte as the steward of the club this summer. The Spanish midfielder has stated his intent on continuing as a Blues player beyond his current contract which expires next summer.

However, Chelsea are don’t seem to be thinking on the same lines as he does.

Cesc Fabregas has yet to receive a contract extension, not to mention that he is far from being the first-choice midfielder amongst the likes of Kovacic, Kante, Barkley and Jorginho. Furthermore, even if he does land a new contract, how frequently will he be put to use by the new manager?

The Spaniard successfully found his way into Conte’s 3-5-2 system, but more as a luxury than the necessities. His frail defensive attributes will be a cause of concern for Sarri, who demands physicality from his midfielder.

Make no mistake, Fabregas is a genius when it comes to technicality and creating chances; the 31-year-old can whip a defence-splitting pass in the blink of an eye for his fellow forwards to score, but his one-dimensional style of play is far from fitting for the Italian’s 4-3-3 system.

Chelsea has no shortage of wealth when it comes to midfielders who can provide tenacity in the center of the park; Jorginho, Mateo Kovacic and N’Golo Kante have ensured Sarri has all the ammunition he needs in the midfield.

Amongst this lot, Cesc Fabregas is far from appearing week in week out for the club, which is why the future of his ageing body at the Stamford Bridge is seemingly more precarious than ever.