Chelsea sit atop the English Premier League after five matches and they have been nearly perfect under new manager Maurizio Sarri. While many expected the Blues to falter due to waiting so long to sack their previous manager Antonio Conte, Chelsea have shown they are still one of the league’s best. Four Chelsea players are in the last year of their current contracts. The club has some big decisions to make about these players before the January transfer window opens.
4 Chelsea players in the last year of their contract
Cesc Fabregas
Midfielder Cesc Fabregas will see his five years at Stamford Bridge end barring a new contract being offered. The 31-year-old Spaniard noticeably regressed last season. Fabregas has been linked with a return to Arsenal to replace Aaron Ramsey, if the Welshman decides to leave the Emirates. In addition, AC Milan are said to be ready to sign Fabregas on a free transfer come the new year. It looks likely Fabregas’ time is up at Stamford Bridge with Sarri looking for someone else to be a creative Chelsea player in midfield. It hasn’t helped that Fabregas hasn’t played yet this season due to injury.
Olivier Giroud
World Cup winner Olivier Giroud has tallied three assists this term. He may not have scored yet, but he has been an important cog to the Chelsea wheel. His contract will end in 2019, but reports claim Giroud will be offered a new deal in the coming weeks. Based on Giroud’s form and his ability to improve Eden Hazard’s play, there will be plenty of teams after the target man if the Blues don’t re-sign him.
Gary Cahill
Defender Gary Cahill looks set to leave Chelsea when the transfer window opens. Chelsea had given him permission to speak with Turkish club Galatasaray in August, but the deal never materialised. Cahill has been frozen out by Sarri despite being such an important player for the Blues since he arrived from Bolton Wanderers in January 2012. The centre-back is yet to appear for Chelsea this term with Sarri ready to move away from Cahill.
David Luiz
Brazilian David Luiz has had a love-hate relationship with managers at Chelsea. The centre-back looked destined to leave the club at the end of his contract. However, new reports have claimed Luiz will sign a new contract soon. Luiz has played in all five Premier League matches under Sarri. He has shown he still has the ability to play for the club, and it has rewarded him for it. Prior to returning to the Chelsea fold under Sarri, Luiz last played for former manager Conte last February.