Chelsea’s best XI under Maurizio Sarri is coming into focus, which leaves plenty of players with an uncertain future. Some should stay for depth or experience, but others need to go – some temporarily, some for good.
Maurizio Sarri is assembling his first Chelsea squad with only one of “his” players. Like his predecessor, he’s getting the true Chelsea experience. Sarri has about two weeks to decide what to do with the players who are not in his best XI. Here are our takes on who he should keep around, who can come back after a year and who is ready to move on with their career.
1. Sell: No country for old(er) men
Danny Drinkwater (Vishnu Raj)
Danny Drinkwater’s signing was always a head-scratching one to begin with. As was the story of last season, he arrived at Chelsea with a long-term injury. He was signed for reportedly around £35 million in the same transfer window where Liverpool managed to sign Mohamed Salah for £36.9 million.
It is illogical to even think about it. He was only cleared to feature around November and, before anyone noticed his contribution, he was injured yet again.
Maurizio Sarri has already given clues about what he thinks about Drinkwater. He was one of the few players who did not make an appearance for the Blues on Monday against Perth Glory despite making the trip.
Chelsea will be lucky if they could get at least the amount they spent on him for the transfer.
David Luiz (Scott Brant)
A fan favorite due to his quirky hair and have fun attitude, but that’s about it. It was a bad bit of business when Chelsea brought him back from Paris Saint-Germain, and it’s a worse business the longer he stays around.
Any player who disrespects the manager on social media should be transferred. It sets a poor precedent by the club to allow a player / players (Willian) to disrespect a manager. Soon enough the individual acts become a culture of quitting / rebelling on authority simply because the players don’t agree with or like a manager’s direction or philosophy.
Pedro (Hugo Amaya)
During Chelsea’s latest title-winning season, Pedro was phenomenal, scoring goals from outside the box, running at defenders and combining with Eden Hazard. He was quick and always ready to take a shot at goal.
Unfortunately, that isn’t the case anymore. Pedro has become a liability to the attacking force of the team. He cannot play on the wing because, as last season demonstrated, his speed and sharpness are not at the right level. In the midfield, he lacks the physicality and pass awareness. In front of goal, his touch has let him down more than a handful of times.
Sadly, for Pedro, Chelsea must cash in before is too late.
Gary Cahill (Nate Hofmann)
Assuming Chelsea sign Daniele Rugani from Juventus (fingers crossed), Chelsea will be up to their noses in centerbacks, especially considering Sarri’s 4-3-3 will require one fewer than Conte’s systems did. The preferred starters would likely be Rugani and Andreas Christensen, with Antonio Rudiger and perhaps David Luiz deputizing.
That’s to say nothing of Cesar Azpilicueta, who should take over the captain’s armband in lieu of Cahill. He could very well play at centerback or in either fullback role.
Regardless, Cahill is aging and has never been especially gifted technically. He could end up being more of a liability in Sarri’s system, especially if he lacks the extra man for coverage in defense. All of this adds up to the conclusion that Chelsea and Gary Cahill would both benefit from Cahill moving on to new challenges.
Willian (Daniel Mcclue)
For some weird reason Willian’s value appears to be at the highest it’s ever been. Perhaps in years gone by teams never thought they had a realistic chance in signing him, but the petulant retaliation towards Conte from the Brazilian has put him at odds with Chelsea fans.
A 30-year-old winger that mostly relies on quickness of feet is due a rapid decline. If any team offers £50 million or more Chelsea should be chomping at the bit to accept that. With the money they could sign a younger replacement and have him grow under Sarri.
Danny Drinkwater (Hugo Amaya)
Everyone was very excited about the partnership between Danny Drinkwater and N’golo Kante at Chelsea. However, just about everyone was left disappointed. Drinkwater does not contribute to anything in the game other than keeping possession for possession sake. No killer passes, no capability to open up the game. No attempt to get forward and create something. Nothing at all.
Last season he looked uncomfortable on the ball and his first touch was never (ever) the correct one. Despite only spending such a short amount of time as a Blue, for his career’s sake and the club’s, Drinkwater must move on. He is not at the top level Chelsea need him to be.