Five players who may have played their final game for Chelsea against Newcastle
The final day of the Premier League season is one to rejoice for one and all irrespective of how it’s panned out. Southampton, who had almost nothing to cheer about, battled it out in an eight-goal thriller with Liverpool. Leicester did their job but couldn’t avoid the drop, and Manchester United enjoyed what has been a year of many positives.
But Chelsea, despite launching 22 efforts on goal, completing over 550 passes, and keeping 65% of the ball, was saved by a Kieran Trippier own goal which aided the point against the Toons in an end-to-end 1-1 draw.
The Stamford Bridge faithful groaned and moaned in distress, demonstrating their angst at every misplaced pass and failed attacking move. The rate at which Chelsea were fluffing their opportunities, it was beyond impossible to be in a good mood after the club finished with its lowest point tally since 1987/88.
What’s more difficult is to measure the size of the task Mauricio Pochettino has on his hands. Transfer strategies, uplifting the dressing room, dealing with vexatious egos, you name it.
One of the prominent, first-hand tasks would be to trim a blown-up squad, and on that note, we shall have a rundown of five players who may have donned the Chelsea shirt for the last time.
#1 Cesar Azpilicueta
Whenever Chelsea have offloaded a legend, the club, stunned as any other would be, has suffered.
That’s the last thing everyone involved will hope for, as Cesar Azpilicueta, after 11 glorious years in West London, is set to depart.
Hailed by former Blues skipper John Terry as an individual whose attitude on the pitch and in training, as well as discipline and character are second to none, the 33-year-old will leave his beloved team after 507 appearances and nine trophies. Yes, he has won it all.
Azpilicueta played every minute of Chelsea’s last title-winning campaign, under Antonio Conte, and is widely heralded as one of the league’s most versatile and dependable defenders.
But with managers shuffling and the team forced to unload players, Azpilicueta’s decline has been markedly sorrowful – especially when playing as a wing-back or a right-back. While he’s still overly capable of producing world-class performances from right center-back, the afterburners have been lost with age.
It’s probably the right step to take, but Chelsea, a team without leaders and authoritative voices in the change room, will lose its loudest, most humble voice.
#2 Kepa Arrizabalaga
On paper, Chelsea have envious depth across numerous roles on the pitch, perhaps none more so than the goalkeeper. Kepa Arrizabalaga and Edouard Mendy, shadowed by Marcus Bettinelli as third choice, form a complete group of shot-stoppers with unique characteristics.
However, both the senior goalkeepers have been well short of their mark this season. While Mendy has been riddled with injuries, Kepa’s positioning against the long shot, as well as the responsibility of marshaling the defense has been heavily criticized.
With both keepers entering the final years of their current deals, Chelsea could listen to offers depending on Pochettino’s choice. Kepa’s wages that were agreed upon when the team broke the bank to trigger his release clause in 2018 don’t help matters either.
Gabriel Slonina could be fast tracked to the first team after staring for the U-21s, while Inter Milan’s Andre Onana is another viable option.
Kepa is only 28 and has amassed 162 appearances for Chelsea. It’s fair to say his best one was the first, as he shone in the Blues’ Europa League campaign.
#3 Ruben Loftus-Cheek
It’s an absurd feeling to remember that Ruben Loftus-Cheek made his senior debut for Chelsea nine years ago. And that he’s still just 27 years old. A Cobham product through and through, the midfielder’s potential has never fully been unlatched owing to the club’s spending policies and his biggest enemy – injuries.
In terms of technical ability, there’s arguably few better than Loftus-Cheek in the entire Chelsea squad. He’s built like a titan, and at the same time, glides past players like they are practice cones. Or more often than not, bulldoze through them.
The 2018/19 campaign is the closest Chelsea fans have come to seeing what the player is truly capable of. The platinum collection of his highlights stood out in a style of play full of passes, popularly known as ‘Sarriball’.
Then, there were curlers, a first career hat-trick as part of a successful campaign enveloped in 15 goals plus assists.
Loftus-Cheek turned around twice to acknowledge the fanbase for whom he has given everything, whenever called upon, wherever called upon – from an attacking midfielder’s role to a right wing-back.
AC Milan are keen on snapping him up, and with the deal most likely poised to be permanent, it seems likely he will end his childhood dream. Loftus-Cheek, should he complete the move to San Siro, will reunite with fellow academy graduate Fikayo Tomori.
#4 Mateo Kovacic
The bitter fact that contract talks are at a standstill, or rather, absent, implies that Mateo Kovacic, who has worn the armband for Chelsea this season, could be one of the many exits as part of an elephant-sized overhaul.
As brilliant and energetic as he is, Kovacic struggles with niggles and has been an inconsistent version of himself this season, especially on the defensive side of things. Todd Boehly and the directors will have to take bold steps, and this could be one of them, although at the expense of a conflict with many fans.
Manchester City are supposedly interested in luring the former Real Madrid man, while Bayern Munich are keeping tabs as well. The Bavarians are in need of a midfield renovation, while Man City could lose Ilkay Gundogan.
#5 Christian Pulisic
Another one on the list that has been on the receiving end of troublesome, recurring injuries – Christian Pulisic – might well have finished his career at Chelsea.
With all the incoming wingers and just a goal to his credit this season, there aren’t great odds in the USMNT skipper’s favour. This has by far been his worst season, in terms of goals and performances alike.
Pulisic has accumulated 26 goals for Chelsea in 145 appearances, and while the player in him can reach the highest of highs, it’s always been in fits and starts. He’s just 24, and with a year left on his contract, Chelsea would prefer to cash out on their asset.
-Roy Akarshak
Twitter: @RoyAkarshak
Photo: Fars Media Corporation. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license.