Chelsea’s sales history in the January transfer window
3. To Russia, China and Middlesbrough with love (2017)
Flash forward two years and Chelsea, now lead by Antonio Conte, is once again top of the table at the halfway stage. The Blues are, once again, looking to clear off some deadweight. Before the window had even opened, Chelsea was making some serious cash.
Oscar was sold to Chinese Super League side Shanghai SIPG for a reported £60 million. A year earlier, the Blues had sent Ramires east for a similarly staggering fee. For the most part, Oscar was a success in West London; however, with the fee Shanghai offered, you can understand why Conte was quick to sell. For Oscar, the move to China is understandable from a financial perspective, but from a footballing point of view it felt like he had much more to give—he was only 25 at the time.
Also heading east was John Obi Mikel, who joined the CSL’s Tianjin TEDA. He played a bit-part role for the Tigers before returning to England to suit up for Middlesbrough and most recently Stoke City, where he has played a key role in the side. Another Blues legend also departed as Branislav Ivanovic joined Zenit St. Petersburg, bringing an end to an incredibly successful nine-year spell. At 32, Chelsea fans might not have expected to see the Serbian in the Premier League again, but last summer, he joined relegation candidates West Bromwich Albion.
The final departure in January 2017 really stands out, Patrick Bamford. The forward joined a struggling Middlesbrough, where he had been prolific in a loan spell two years prior. Throughout his career, Bamford has split opinion, but this season he has excelled. With 10 goals for newly-promoted Leeds United, level with Harry Kane, Bamford will surely be making Blues fans consider whether they should’ve hung on a bit longer. Bamford was never given a chance at Stamford Bridge, with half a dozen loan spells for evidence.
Next. Chelsea could find itself in a sticky centerback situation come February. dark
If compiling this has taught me anything, it’s that you simply can’t predict what will happen during players’ careers. Chelsea’s history suggests older players no longer needed (Torres, Ivanovic, Essien, etc.) have a good chance of being dismissed. However, it is just as likely that young players with huge potential could be shown the door (De Bruyne, Oscar, Bamford, etc.). It’s fair to say the Blues have plenty of players fitting these descriptions and so we must eagerly wait and see which of our stars make way this January.