The Chelsea players who could be sold if Raphinha joins
Robin Bairner
- 23 Feb 2022 04:48 CST
- 4 min read
Chelsea have put Leeds attacker Raphinha to the top of their transfer shortlist for the summer.
Thomas Tuchel has earmarked the Brazil international as a reinforcement that would add quality to the Blues’ squad and allow them to offer a stronger challenge in the Premier League next season.
Should Raphinha arrive, though, it will inevitably have an impact elsewhere in the squad, with players set to move on.
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Chelsea are already poised to revolutionise their defence in the summer, with Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen and Cesar Azpilicueta all out of contract as things stand, but offensively there will be changes, too.
Who could make way for Raphinha?
Christian Pulisic
The USA international attacking midfielder has never quite hit the levels expected of him at Chelsea, and though he notched the Blues’ second in their Champions League win over Lille on Tuesday, remains a player with question marks hanging over him.
A strong conclusion to the season, however, could see Chelsea seek to trim other members of their squad first.
Callum Hudson-Odoi
Absolutely exploded onto the scene as a teenager but has spent recent seasons drifting in and out of the squad. Has had off-field troubles in the past that could act as a catalyst for Chelsea to cut him free if a sizeable offer arrives.
Given he is just 21, though, Hudson-Odoi will be given until the summer to prove himself, both on and off the park.
Romelu Lukaku
Chelsea’s record signing is in perhaps the most difficult time of his career at present. He is blighted with bad publicity, some of which he has brought on himself, and is struggling to fit into the plans of Tuchel.
With Kai Havertz having thrived in a centre-forward role against Lille, the manager may well see the German as a viable long-term option in that role, freeing up space in the attacking midfield areas for Raphinha to join the club.
Lukaku is not giving Chelsea what they want at present and his future is increasingly uncertain.
Timo Werner
Werner was a big-money arrival from RB Leipzig in 2020 and has admitted that his form has been so poor that he is amazed that Chelsea’s fans have stuck by him.
The board, though, are unlikely to be quiet as forgiving. Chelsea signed Werner to elevate them to the next level, but there are few signs of the 25-year-old finding his form any time soon.
Hakim Ziyech
Big things were expected of the 28-year-old when he arrived from Ajax, but he has struggled to deliver. This season, he has seven goals and five assists in 29 games – not poor figures, but not exceptional either.
Given that he plays with a similarly impulsive style to Raphinha, it would make sense if he were to be offloaded given the pair are interchangeable.
Ziyech is still featuring on a regular basis for the Blues, so has significant sell-on value and is a player that many clubs around Europe would doubtless love to have.
