Six In, Six Out: Chelsea Transfer
OUT
Didier Drogba (Released, now at Shanghai Shenhua)
The Ivorian leaves Stamford Bridge a legend, after helping Chelsea to the Champions League crown with his equalising goal and winning penalty in Mays Final in Munich.
Now 34, Drogba is undoubtedly past his best but there are still those that feel the powerful striker has left the Premier League prematurely. Indeed, Man United boss Sir Alex Ferguson admitted he would have been tempted to sign Drogba, had the forward wanted to stay in the England.
With just Daniel Sturridge to back-up Fernando Torres, perhaps Chelsea have made a mistake in not persuading their talisman to stay on for one more season
Salomon Kalou (Released, now at Lille)
Like Drogba, the Ivorian played his part in Chelseas Champions League success and has been a decent servant for the club over the past six years.
But the winger doesnt possess the quality to scare the best teams and is too inconsistent to be a key player in a title-push. With the likes of Eden Hazard, Marko Marin and Victor Moses arriving the club this summer, Kalous time was up and he is unlikely to be missed at Stamford Bridge.
Jose Bosingwa (Released, now at QPR)
The Portuguese full-back was always a willing runner who gave his all but, as with many of the Chelsea side that limped to a sixth-placed finish last season, he lacked the technical and defensive qualities personified by fellow full-back Ashley Cole.
With Chelsea struggling to land a new right-back for much of the summer, Bosingwas departure was beginning to look a touch careless but Branislav Ivanovics fine start to the season and the arrival of Cesar Azpilicueta have dampened any fears that the Blues are short in his position.
There are many who feel Bosingwa has now found his level at QPR.
Raul Meireles (£8m to Fenerbahce)
Meireles late departure from Stamford Bridge has raised a few eyebrows in west London. The Portuguese had featured in all three of Chelseas opening Premier League matches, admittedly twice from the bench, illustrating that he was by no means a redundant part of Di Matteos squad.
With Frank Lampard now 34, Oscar still adapting to the Premier League and Oriol Romeu by unproven, Chelsea could find themselves short of robust central midfielders if either Ramires or Jon Obi Mikel suffer a serious injury.
Meireles was never likely to shine alongside the likes of Hazard, but Chelsea seem to have unnecessarily lost a very capable squad player.
Yossi Benayoun (Loan to West Ham)
The Israelis departure on deadline day will have come as no surprise to Chelsea fans. Benayoun spent last season on loan at Arsenal and was never likely to feature in Roberto Di Matteos plans, particularly after Chelsea significantly strengthened their midfielder over the summer.
Benayoun is a very good player on his day but is past his best and his exit is unlikely to be the cause of any regret in west London.
Michael Essien (Loan to Real Madrid)
Chelsea sending Michael Essien on loan would have been unthinkable a few years ago, when the powerful Ghanaian was considered one of most complete midfielders in the Premier League.
But injuries have taken their toll and there is a feeling at Stamford Bridge that Essien isnt quite the same player he was under Jose Mourinho. Now reunited with the Special One at Real, its possible that the powerful box-to-box man will rediscover his old form and return to Stamford Bridge his refreshed.
Given he was unlikely to play much this season, a loan move seems sensible for all parties but could leave Chelsea short of combative central players, particularly after Meireles followed him out of the club.
Marko Marin (£7m from Werder Bremen)
The arrival of the German international for a very respectable price has perhaps been overshadowed by the big-name signings that followed him to Stamford Bridge.
The speedy winger has been a consistent force in the Bundesliga over the past four seasons at Werder Bremen but clearly the lure of the Premier League was too much to prevent his move to Chelsea.
The nippy playmaker will find find himself fighting for a regular place in the starting line-up with the likes of Hazard and Juan Mata but is still a very useful addition to the Chelsea squad and has the ability to change a game from the bench.
Eden Hazard (£32m from Lille)
The talented Belgian has already shown what he is capable of, laying on six assists in three matches and putting in a succession of top notch displays.
Though Chelsea paid a big fee to land the Lille man they did beat off competition from just about every side among Europes elite. The 21-year-old is sure to justify the fee invested in his services and Hazard is a player that Roberto Di Matteo can build his side around. Hazard already looks like a fabulous signing and could be the difference between winning the title and finishing third for the Blues this season.
Thorgan Hazard (£2m from Lens)
Thorgan was signed to make the sublimely talented Eden feel at home and has already been loaned out but if the youngster turns out to be half as good as his older brother, then hell prove a fantastic purchase for Chelsea
Oscar (£22m from Internacional)
The Brazilian playmaker showed what he could do at the London Olympics and is widely considered to be one of the most promising players on the planet.
Young Oscar is Kakas heir apparent and, in fact, he has already usurped the Real Madrid man in the Brazilian senior team. Oscar is likely to take a while to adapt to the Premier League after arriving from Internacional but when he does, Chelsea will have a player capable of scoring and providing in equal measure from an advanced midfield role.
When you consider that he cost over £10m less than compatriot Lucas Moura and is regarded as a better player, it looks a fabulous piece of business from the Blues.
César Azpilicueta (£7m from Marseille)
The young Spaniard arrived from cash-strapped Marseille to fill Chelseas troublesome right-back spot and looks a great piece of business.
Although he is yet to win a full international cap, 22-year-old Azpilicueta is experienced beyond his years, having broken into the Osasuna first-team as a teenager. With Ashley Cole to learn from, Chelsea hope Azpilicueta can become the complete full-back and, with Branislav Ivanovic looking so good, there is no pressure on his to adapt straight away.
Victor Moses (£8.5m from Wigan)
You could be forgiven for raising eyebrows at the signing of Wigans Victor Moses when Chelsea had already landed playmakers Marin, Hazard and Oscar to compete with Juan Mata and Daniel Sturridge.
But Moses was Di Matteos choice, with the Italian feeling that an injection of raw power and pace was still missing from his squad. The 21-year-old Nigerian must quickly adapt to going from star player to fighting for his place but he is only likely to get better and has the ability to really make a difference in tight games this season.
Moses looks like a fine buy, once again.
