Chelsea are likely to forge ahead with a bid for West Ham’s Declan Rice this week but it appears there will be more activity in terms of outgoings before the transfer window shuts on Monday.
A whole host of first-team players have been linked with exits from Stamford Bridge over the summer months but the Daily Telegraph‘s Matt Law has named four who are the likeliest to leave the Blues in the next seven days.
The reliable journalist has a good track record on Chelsea so we have decided to take an in-depth look at these potential departures and why manager Frank Lampard has decided to let them go.
Below are the four Chelsea stars who are likely to leave before deadline day.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek: Manager Frank Lampard has confirmed that the midfielder will be allowed to leave on loan in order to get the game time he needs. The 24-year-old was out for almost a year with an Achilles injury and the Blues boss feels he needs to be playing every week to regain his match sharpness:
“There’s a possibility that Ruben may go out to play games because that would be great for him. We hold him in very high regard. I certainly do and that could be a good option for him.” Aston Villa and West Ham are believed to be the two teams keenest on snapping up Loftus-Cheek, but it remains to be seen which club the England international will choose.
Marcos Alonso: The Spaniard was substituted at half-time in the 3-3 draw against West Brom last weekend after a woeful performance. Lampard has kept faith with the left-back at the start of this season, but it is thought he could now be offloaded following an incident at the Hawthorns.
It has been reported that the defender decided to watch the second half on the team bus, rather than on the substitute’s bench, which left Lampard angry. It is thought that Emerson could now stay if a buyer can be found for Alonso.
Jorginho: The Italian international started the first two games of the season against Brighton and Liverpool but he was an unused substitute against West Brom. It is thought he will be allowed to leave if Declan Rice is brought in. Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain are believed to be Jorginho’s main suitors, although it is said the latter would only want to sign the 28-year-old on loan.
Antonio Rudiger: The German international’s days at Stamford Bridge appear to be numbered. He didn’t even make the squad for the Carabao Cup tie against Barnsley last week despite Lampard rotating his squad. PSG are also said to be keen on signing Rudiger on loan, in addition to Jorginho, and it is believed that West Ham are after the defender as well.