CATACLYSMIC CHELSEA: Who Should Go, Who Should Stay ???

Jose Mourinho said he felt betrayed by his players after Chelsea hit the latest low of their terrible title defence in Monday night’s defeat at Leicester City.

The Chelsea boss has seen his side fall to pieces this season, consistently underperforming with most of his squad guilty of failing to hit the standards expected of them.

WHO SHOULD STAY, WHO SHOULD GO??

GOALKEEPERS 

Thibaut Courtois

A sure-thing to stay between the sticks, Courtois looks certain to stay as No 1 even if Chelsea look to go for a major overhaul of their squad.

Verdict: STAY 

We agree on this totally; between those sticks, Courtois is the Present, Courtois is the Future 

Asmir Begovic

One of a party of two who has arguably seen his stick rise this season, can offer stable back-up to first-choice Courtois.

Verdict: STAY

This too, thumbs up….Begovic should stay in his dependable might!

 DEFENDERS

Cesar Azpilicueta

Difficult season but remains one of the Premier League’s best defenders on his day. A switch to his natural right flank would help, with Chelsea looking very narrow when he is fielded at left back.

Verdict: STAY

Agreed. One Chelsea player you’ll be sure will give his all any day is Cesar. Very dependable, on the right or on the left. .correct g

Papy Djilobodji

Has played just one minute since his surprise move from Nantes and clearly isn’t a ‘Mourinho player’. Concerns about his quality seem to have been backed up in training.

Verdict: GO

Release him and let him flourish somewhere else.

Branislav Ivanovic

Form was dire at the start of the season but he has improved since returning from an injury lay-off. Experience and leadership qualities in a dressing room lacking both are his most valuable offerings to this squad, though.

Verdict: STAY

Viva Naija Sport disagrees with this; Ivanovic has paid his dues, he is way past his best, and Chelsea should be clearing path for youth. So, Ivanovic is a GO for us

Baba Rahman

No real signs that he has what it takes to survive in the Premier League and has been routinely torn to shreds but wingers in his limited appearances so far.

Verdict: GO

Agreed, Baba should GO. He has a lot of prospect, but, hewas brought t Chelsea at a very bad unhappy moment that has seemed to shatter his confidence.

John Terry

No doubt that his powers are fading but, like Ivanovic, Chelsea need his leadership qualities now more than ever. Might find his role further reduced after this season’s snubs, though.

Verdict: STAY

Agreed. Apart from being Stamford Bridge royalty, Terry can still wield the wand of leadership in the squad truly.

Kurt Zouma 

Worryingly poor tracking of Jamie Vardy for Leicester’s opener on Monday night but he is still learning and while this season has shown his limitations, there is room for growth.

Verdict: STAY

Agreed too. He needs to master the use of more brain, less brawn though 

MIDFIELDERS

Eden Hazard 

Arguably the squad’s biggest under-performer but Hazard remains Chelsea’s one true world-class talent when he’s in form and firing. But a big bid from Real Madrid this summer could offer a temptation to cash in on a player whose glimpses of talent are becoming too infrequent.

Verdict: JURY’S OUT

Hazard should GO at the right price. Chelsea can cash-in on him

Cesc Fabregas

Has been accused of downing tools and now doesn’t get into the side as first choice. Form fade in the second half of last season was worrying – but showings this season have been damning.

Verdict: GO

It’s sad that Cesc haven’t been able to catch up with the standard he set last season, and he doesn’t seem to be ready to do so, despite getting enough play time from the coach. He should GO.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek

Still can’t get a run in the side but some departures in midfield might finally open up a spot for Chelsea’s most-talented youngster in the summer.

Verdict: STAY

Agreed 

Kenedy

Impressive in spurts when given a chance, Brazilian winger should get more opportunities later this season to show what he’s really made of.

Verdict: STAY

Agreed 

Nemanja Matic

Another big letdown this season but the lack of available world-class players in his position means Matic stays provided he can recover some sort of form as he hits what you be his peak years.

Verdict: STAY

Ambivalent about this. Matic is a good player not living up to his best at the moment. Our Verdict on this? NOT SURE 

John Obi Mikel

Bit-part role sees Nigerian midfielder linked with a move away every summer but he might finally jump ship after a decade at Stamford Bridge if Chelsea invest big.

Verdict: GO

Time to get a fresh challenge. Agreed, he should go.

Oscar

Nowhere near living up to his early promise. Mourinho hoped for a similar evolution to Hazard this season – he’s managed just that, but not in a good way

Verdict: GO

This one too is hard, but, if Chelsea can get a similarly talented player in January, Oscar should GO

Pedro

No sign of adapting to the demands of life in the Premier League and does not offer adequate protection to his full back, something Mourinho has always been big on.

Verdict: GO

Spontaneous buy, quite unfortunate he hasn’t meted up to expectation yet. He should GO 

Ramires

Another who has signed a new contract, Ramires has been one of Chelsea’s better performers this season and now seems a first-team fixture ahead of Fabregas.

Verdict: STAY

Agreed 

Bertrand Traore

Isn’t getting the opportunities that his talent needs to blossom. Already sixth in the pecking order for a spot in Chelsea’s midfield trident, he might need to move on to get more games.

Verdict: GO

No, Talented and youthful Traore should STAY, Chelsea need to keep faith with Youth 

Willian

Chelsea’s player of the season after a real improvement in his performances this season. Can’t do it all on his own but they would be mad to see him go.

Verdict: STAY

Undoubtedly 

STRIKERS

Diego Costa

Can be top class but when it’s not going his way Costa is more of a nuisance than a natural goalscorer. Troubles with adapting to life in England might mean moving him on if form continues.

Verdict: GO

Agreed. Diego seems to have lost his joy at scoring in the EPL, a love-at-first-sight situation that has turned sour

Radamel Falcao

Disastrous loan deal could be cut short in January if Chelsea get their way. If they don’t, he surely won’t be signed up in the summer.

Verdict: GO

As soon as possible 

Loic Remy

Good back-up choice but hasn’t proven himself when starting games. Scored on Monday night and maybe deserves more of a chance but he remains an impact player in this squad.

Verdict: STAY 

Yeah, Remy deserves a season more to prove himself if he’d be give the chance.