Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Football London
Football London
Sport
Aaron Reid

The three Chelsea players who may have already said their Stamford Bridge goodbyes

Chelsea have had an eventful season, from sacking Frank Lampard as their manager to new boss Thomas Tuchel guiding them to FA Cup and Champions League finals.

With one matchday left to play this campaign, the Blues are still fighting for a top-four finish and a win against Aston Villa on Sunday would guarantee Champions League football at Stamford Bridge next season.

This summer will be Tuchel's first transfer window as Chelsea coach and he will want to put his own stamp on the team by freshening up an already stacked squad ahead of next season.

Here we've highlighted the three players that could leave West London this summer due to their contracts expiring at the end of next month.

Thiago Silva

Since arriving from PSG last summer, Thiago Silva has been imperious in the heart of the Chelsea defence.

The Brazilian has played 32 times this season and has showcased his plethora of talents defensively with the Blues only conceding 22 times when he's been on the pitch.

Silva has performed exceptionally in both a back three and a more traditional back four during his short-stint in England and is a fundamental cog in Chelsea's defensive build-up with his passing between the lines an extremely useful asset to beating the opposition press.

The 36-year-old's contract is set to expire at the end of next month but Chelsea fans need not worry as transfer aficionado Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Silva is likely to sign a one-year contract extension after the Champions League final.

Olivier Giroud

Former Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud arrived at Stamford Bridge in January 2018 after the Gunners secured Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's signature.

Giroud's signing was met with groans from the Chelsea faithful but fast forward three and a half years and the Frenchman has proved many of his doubters wrong.

Despite often coming off the bench for the Blues, Giroud has netted 39 times for Chelsea, including crucial goals in 2019's Europa League final and this season's round of 16 clash with Atletico Madrid.

Sunday's trip to Villa Park will be Giroud's last Premier League outing as a Chelsea player in what has been a successful stint in West London for the Frenchman.

Willy Caballero

Third-choice 'keeper Willy Caballero will also bid farewell to Chelsea after this season.

The former Argentine international has been a reliable deputy for a number of Blues' shot-stoppers since his arrival from Manchester City in 2017.

Caballero made 38 appearances for Chelsea across four seasons but his most famous moment in a Blues' shirt is perhaps a game that he didn't even feature in.

During the 2019 league cup final against City, Caballero was set to come on for starting goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, ahead of a penalty-shoothout.

However, Arrizabalaga refused to come off, to the bemusement of Caballero and former Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.