LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 19: Sesc Fabregas (2nd R) of Chelsea reacts after scoring his team's second goal from the penalty during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and West Ham United at Stamford Bridge on March 19, 2016 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alex Morton/Getty Images)
5 players Chelsea must upgrade to get back in the Champions League
LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 19: Sesc Fabregas (2nd R) of Chelsea reacts after scoring his team’s second goal from the penalty during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and West Ham United at Stamford Bridge on March 19, 2016 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alex Morton/Getty Images)
Chelsea need to improve upon these five players to rejoin the Champions League
To say this hasn’t been a dream season for Chelsea might be a bit of an understatement. The Blues’ season has been much more like a soap opera than a success story.
You can count on significant roster turnover at Stamford Bridge this summer. If, as most expect, Antonio Conte comes in to take over the managerial post, he will certainly want to bring in some of his own players. At the very least, you’ll see some Jose Mourinho loyalists get sent elsewhere.
The squad isn’t completely bereft of quality though. There are still quite a few world-class talents at Chelsea. Some of the new manager’s challenge will simply be getting all the players to play up to their potential. That won’t be as simple as it sounds.
Still, when you see a season that’s been as much of a disappointment as Chelsea has experienced this year, you know that some of the issue has to be a lack of talent in key areas. We examine the five players that Chelsea has to upgrade next season if it wants to regain its rightful place in the Champions League at the conclusion of the campaign.
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<p>I’ve put his name on this list because a club like Chelsea should have a natural left back. Perhaps the new manager will bring someone in or perhaps they’ll throw Kenedy into the position and see if he can hold it down. No matter the remedy, Azpilicueta shouldn’t start 28 Premier League matches at left back for Chelsea next season.</p>
<p>Now the trick here is I think it would be entirely appropriate for Azpilicueta to start that many matches. He should just do so at the expense of Branislav Ivanovic at right back. After all, that is his more natural position.</p>
<p>Azpilicueta has done a solid job playing left back for the Blues this season, but Chelsea is too big a club to force him into that role. It’s high time they upgrade the position this summer by flexing some of their considerable financial muscle.</p>
<div class="next-post amp-get-next-post lg slider"><a class="location" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-post-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2016/03/20/5-players-chelsea-must-upgrade-to-get-back-in-the-champions-league/"#"><span class="next amp-next-post-teaser">Next: </span><span class="amp-get-next-post">4. John Terry</span></a></div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_406329" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-406329" src=https://playingfor90.com/2016/03/20/5-players-chelsea-must-upgrade-to-get-back-in-the-champions-league/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_382,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fplayingfor90.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F02%2F509981420-chelsea-v-newcastle-united-premier-league-590x900.jpg" alt="LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 13 : John Terry of Chelsea waves as he is substituted during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge on February 13, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)" width="590" height="382" srcset="https://playingfor90.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2016/02/509981420-chelsea-v-newcastle-united-premier-league-590x900.jpg 590w, https://playingfor90.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2016/02/509981420-chelsea-v-newcastle-united-premier-league-300x600.jpg 300w, https://playingfor90.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2016/02/509981420-chelsea-v-newcastle-united-premier-league-768x0.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 590px) 100vw, 590px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 13 : John Terry of Chelsea waves as he is substituted during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge on February 13, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>4. John Terry</h3>
<p>Whereas Azpilicueta’s inclusion on this list may have surprised some Chelsea fans, no one should be surprised by reading John Terry’s name here. He’s likely done with Chelsea and based on his play, shouldn’t be offered anything more than a bit part at Stamford Bridge next season.</p>
<p>Terry has been a terrific servant of the club, but modern football is a what have you done for me lately business. The harsh truth is that the game has begun to pass Terry by and his performance this season has been sub-par. He’s not up to the challenge of being a starting centre-back for a top Premier League side any longer.</p>
<p>There’s no shame in that fact for the 35-year-old English international. It’s completely normal for a professional football player’s game to start to slow down in his mid-30s. Terry’s <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2016/03/20/5-players-chelsea-must-upgrade-to-get-back-in-the-champions-league/"https://www.whoscored.com/Players/70/Show/John-Terry" target="_blank">Whoscored.com player rating average of just 6.62 in 23 Premier League starts</a> makes it very clear that he’s at least one step off the pace.</p>
<p>This is one spot where I think it’s almost a certainty that Chelsea will bring in reinforcements via the transfer window. They’ll hope that Kurt Zouma recovers from injury to man one spot, but his partner will need to be purchased this summer. Terry can stay on the team, but only if he’s happy with a greatly diminished role on the pitch.</p>
<div class="next-post amp-get-next-post lg slider"><a class="location" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-post-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2016/03/20/5-players-chelsea-must-upgrade-to-get-back-in-the-champions-league/"#"><span class="next amp-next-post-teaser">Next: </span><span class="amp-get-next-post">3. Nemanja Matic</span></a></div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_408583" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-408583" src=https://playingfor90.com/2016/03/20/5-players-chelsea-must-upgrade-to-get-back-in-the-champions-league/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fplayingfor90.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F03%2F509982958-chelsea-v-newcastle-united-premier-league-850x560.jpg" alt="LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 13: Nemanja Matic of Chelsea and Aleksandar Mitrovic of Newcastle United compete for the ball during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge on February 13, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 13: Nemanja Matic of Chelsea and Aleksandar Mitrovic of Newcastle United compete for the ball during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge on February 13, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>3. Nemanja Matic</h3>
<p>Nemanja Matic’s drop in performance from last season to this year hasn’t captured the same amount of headlines as some of his teammates, but his decrease has been dramatic. <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2016/03/20/5-players-chelsea-must-upgrade-to-get-back-in-the-champions-league/"https://www.whoscored.com/Players/38128/History/Nemanja-Matic" target="_blank">His Whoscored.com player average has dropped over half a point</a> from last season to this year.</p>
<p>Matic should thank Eden Hazard for his poor performance this season. It’s only because of the Belgian’s struggles that the Serbian international has escaped immense criticism himself. It’s one of the most under reported stories of the Chelsea season.</p>
<p>Some Chelsea fans will claim it’s prudent to hope Matic will experience a rebound in performance, but I don’t think they can afford to rely on that hope. It’s certainly possible he’s just having a down year, but they can’t risk that not being the case.</p>
<p>The need to upgrade over Matic is only intensified by the fact that Cesc Fabregas will likely start in Chelsea’s other defensive midfield spot. His athletic limitations require the Blues to partner him with an exceptional athlete. Matic has to be dynamic to play alongside the skillful Spaniard and he hasn’t shown the capability at all this season.</p>
<p>Chelsea would be better served to purchase a world-class partner for Fabregas and take the pressure off of Matic. If he regains his form from two seasons ago, then great, Conte will have a terrific problem on his hands. If not, they can utilize him to provide cover for the starters.</p>
<div class="next-post amp-get-next-post lg slider"><a class="location" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-post-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2016/03/20/5-players-chelsea-must-upgrade-to-get-back-in-the-champions-league/"#"><span class="next amp-next-post-teaser">Next: </span><span class="amp-get-next-post">2. Oscar</span></a></div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_406502" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-406502" src=https://playingfor90.com/2016/03/20/5-players-chelsea-must-upgrade-to-get-back-in-the-champions-league/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_393,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fplayingfor90.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F02%2F508204226-watford-v-chelsea-premier-league-590x900.jpg" alt="WATFORD, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 03: Oscar of Chelsea is brought down by Sebastian Prodl of Watford during the Barclays Premier League match between Watford and Chelsea at Vicarage Road on February 3, 2016 in Watford, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)" width="590" height="393" srcset="https://playingfor90.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2016/02/508204226-watford-v-chelsea-premier-league-590x900.jpg 590w, https://playingfor90.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2016/02/508204226-watford-v-chelsea-premier-league-300x600.jpg 300w, https://playingfor90.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2016/02/508204226-watford-v-chelsea-premier-league-768x0.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 590px) 100vw, 590px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">WATFORD, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 03: Oscar of Chelsea is brought down by Sebastian Prodl of Watford during the Barclays Premier League match between Watford and Chelsea at Vicarage Road on February 3, 2016 in Watford, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>2. Oscar</h3>
<p>The Brazilian playmaker has looked like a fish out of water most of this season for Chelsea. He has lacked the ability to control the game from the number 10 position and lacks the pace to dominate it from a wide position. He would be better served to find a move to a league with a little less athleticism and physicality than the Premier League.</p><div class="widget fs_ads"> <div class="fs_ad_widget-ad" style="margin:0 auto; width: 300px;"> <div class="fs-ll-ad" data-ad-type="minutemedia_slideshow_inline_300x250__desktop__tablet" data-vendor="minutemedia">
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<p>The Brazilian international has only managed <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2016/03/20/5-players-chelsea-must-upgrade-to-get-back-in-the-champions-league/"https://www.whoscored.com/Players/41065/Show/Oscar" target="_blank">four goals in 23 Premier League appearances</a> this season. That’s simply not a good enough return for a player with that much skill.</p>
<p>Some might argue that Chelsea would be better served to keep him and simply reduce his role next season. I doubt that a player with his ego would be willing to accept such a demotion. The easier, and more profitable path would be to find him a rich club abroad willing to pay a significant transfer fee.</p>
<p>Another issue with his fit at Stamford Bridge is that his skill set and teammate Willian’s are roughly the same. It will be difficult for Conte to fit them both into the starting 11 unless they are both firing on all cylinders. Given the form of Willian this season, Oscar would be the easy choice to sit on the bench.</p>
<p>Oscar’s days at Chelsea are numbered. It’s just a question of where he plays next season because it’s highly unlikely that he’ll call Stamford Bridge home.</p>
<div class="next-post amp-get-next-post lg slider"><a class="location" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-post-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2016/03/20/5-players-chelsea-must-upgrade-to-get-back-in-the-champions-league/"#"><span class="next amp-next-post-teaser">Next: </span><span class="amp-get-next-post">1. Eden Hazard</span></a></div><!—pageview_candidate—></p><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_407777" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-407777" src=https://playingfor90.com/2016/03/20/5-players-chelsea-must-upgrade-to-get-back-in-the-champions-league/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_400,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fplayingfor90.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F03%2F514538630-chelsea-fc-v-paris-saint-germain-uefa-champions-league-590x900.jpg" alt="LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 09: Eden Hazard of Chelsea has a rest during the UEFA Champions League match between Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain at Stamford Bridge on March 9, 2016 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)" width="590" height="400" srcset="https://playingfor90.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2016/03/514538630-chelsea-fc-v-paris-saint-germain-uefa-champions-league-590x900.jpg 590w, https://playingfor90.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2016/03/514538630-chelsea-fc-v-paris-saint-germain-uefa-champions-league-300x600.jpg 300w, https://playingfor90.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2016/03/514538630-chelsea-fc-v-paris-saint-germain-uefa-champions-league-768x0.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 590px) 100vw, 590px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 09: Eden Hazard of Chelsea has a rest during the UEFA Champions League match between Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain at Stamford Bridge on March 9, 2016 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>1. Eden Hazard</h3>
<p>No Chelsea player has been a bigger disappointment this season than attacker Eden Hazard. He’s looked entirely disinterested for much of the team’s campaign and his performance has suffered as a result.</p>
<p>Perhaps no man had as much blood on his hands as Hazard did when Jose Mourinho lost his job. He went from the team’s talisman to the team’s millstone in the span of one season. He didn’t so much as score a Premier League goal before Mourinho was ousted.</p>
<p>He’s played somewhat better under interim boss Guus Hiddink, but he hasn’t shown anywhere near the form he displayed last season. He’s continued to struggle with fitness to the point that many fans have serious concerns about his dedication to the club and the game of football.</p>
<p>Chelsea simply has to get more out of their attacking midfielders than they have this season. Other than Willian, it’s been a pretty anonymous group for the Blues. I don’t see how Chelsea can go into next season without adding several high-priced attacking midfielders.</p>
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<p>it’s possible that Conte will try to rehabilitate Hazard when he arrives, but I think he’d be better off taking the huge transfer sum the Belgian attacker can still command. He can take the proceeds from a Hazard sale and purchase a player whose heart and love for the game is beyond questioning. That would be a great departure from Eden Hazard’s time at Stamford Bridge.</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">
