Chelsea’s recent history shows that they have made some good transfer decisions, but equally some poor ones too.
The £72million signing of Kepa Arrizabalaga is still yet to be worth its hefty price tag but the smart recruitment with Eden Hazard and N'golo Kante show how transfer windows have fluctuated for the club in the last decade.
Letting Hazard go last summer was one of their most notable departures in recent history, too, with the Belgian near enough irreplaceable after an iconic spell at the club.
Looking back on the players Chelsea have seen depart Stamford Bridge in the last five years makes you realise just how quickly things can change in football.
Last summer’s transfer embargo dictated that Frank Lampard’s side had to be clever in the way that they introduced younger talent into the starting XI.
That forced decision has so far proved to be a positive for many of the club’s young talents.
In contrast, a number of high profile names have left west London since the end of the 2015/16 season and will be in contention to have a better starting XI than the current crop of talent.
Current strongest XI
GK. Kepa Arrizabalaga
RB. Cesar Azpilicueta
CB. Antonio Rüdiger
CB. Kurt Zouma
LB. Marcos Alonso
RCM. Matteo Kovacic
CM. N’golo Kante
LCM. Mason Mount
RW. Willian
ST. Tammy Abraham
LW. Pedro
(4-3-3)
Chelsea’s current strongest XI has a number of key decisions in terms of selection.
The decision to start Tammy Abraham ahead of Olivier Giroud is largely based on the English striker’s form before the turn of the year.
Elsewhere, Matteo Kovacic over Ross Barkely is a fairly straightforward decision given that the Croat has been a more consistent performer than his English counterpart this season.
As we have seen for the most part of this season, the midfield will bring dynamic energy to allow the full-backs attacking freedom up and down the flanks. In terms of goal-scoring ability, Mason Mount will be tasked with supporting Abraham in that regard.
On top of that, creative support from the two wingers on a frequent basis would facilitate an upturn in form for Abraham.
Strongest XI of Chelsea departures since 2015/16 window
GK. Thibaut Courtois
RB. Branislav Ivanovic
CB. Gary Cahill
CB. John Terry
LB. Felipe Luiz
CDM. Cesc Fabregas
CDM. Nemanja Matic
RAM. Mohamed Salah
CAM. Eden Hazard
LAM. Juan Cuadrado
ST. Diego Costa
(4-2-3-1)
Chelsea’s departure list since the summer of 2016 has a number of notable names on it. Needless to say, Terry and Hazard make two of the biggest inclusions but Costa and Salah would also add a lot of quality to this team.
The back four and goalkeeper provide a solid foundation with the two defensive midfielders adding extra protection as well as a forward-thinking attitude to provide for the attackers.
With a mixture of pace and physicality in attack, this side could provide a whole host of problems to opposition.
Who would win?
Both sides bring something different to the table. One the one hand, Chelsea’s current XI is probably more progressive in the style of football they would play. Whether that would lead to more chances is probably unlikely given the defensive solidity of the departure XI.
In terms of deciding the game, you only need to look at the attackers on show to tell you that the departure XI would probably win this game. Hazard, Costa and Salah would make a deadly attacking trio that Zouma and Rudiger would struggle to deal with.
For the current XI to get anywhere close to their opposition, using Mount and Kovacic in advanced positions to overwhelm Fabregas in a defensive position could prove most effective.
