Seven players who could leave Chelsea before the transfer deadline

Yossi Benayoun

He was surplus to requirements last season, and went on loan to Arsenal. He took a while to get going there but put in some crucial performances at the end of the season, and if it was not for the fact he is now 32, Wenger may well have bought him. He is available for around £1 million reportedly, so if the Gunners suffer an injury to one of their attackers they may yet go in for him. West Ham have been linked and the player is keen on leaving Stamford Bridge to get regular football. He is almost a certainty to leave. 

Raul Meireles

Meireles only signed on transfer deadline day last season from Liverpool, and there has been talk he could leave the club with competition for places tougher than ever in Chelsea's midfield. It has been suggested he may rejoin Andre Villas-Boas at Tottenham, as the manager looks for replacements for Luka Modric. Meireles has also been linked with a switch to Italian side Napoli, and could even leave in part-exchange if Chelsea can tie up a deal for Edinson Cavani. 

Oriol Romeu

Romeu showed promise at Chelsea at the start of last season, but has found life tough under Roberto Di Matteo. Barcelona have not exercised their buy-back option, and after signing Alex Song in midfield are unlikely to do so. He will find it even tougher than Meireles to gain regular football in midfield, and a loan move might best suit player and club.

Florent Malouda

Most observers couldn't be blamed for forgetting Florent Malouda is still at the club. A key player in Chelsea's title triumph in 2009-10, his star has waned badly. He has been told he can leave if the right bidder comes along and he can agree personal terms, but it just hasn't happened yet. He has been linked with a move back to France, and even Brazil, and you imagine one way or another he will exit by time the transfer window closes. 

Paulo Ferreira

Paulo Ferreira was considered necessary back-up to Branislav Ivanovic, but with the impending signing of Cesar Azilipicueta his chances of playing time have decreased. Surely if he want to play first team football he will leave? Even so there is no guarantee, Ferreira hung around during Jose Bosingwa's tenure and seems happy at the Bridge regardless, but their signing of the young Spanish right-back could be the last straw for him. 

Gael Kakuta

Gael Kakuta came to England with a big reputation, and so far he has not fulfilled it. He did show promise on loan at Dijon last season, and he is keen to follow Romelu Lukaku by going on loan away from the club. Marseille have been linked, and a move back to France is most likely. A permanent move could still be struck. 

Daniel Sturridge

Right now the chances of Sturridge leaving may not seem high, but what if Chelsea sign a new striker? Sturridge is demanding regular football through the middle, and with Torres and one of Cavani or Hulk in front of him it may not be easy to keep him happy. Both Tottenham and Arsenal have been linked, and both clubs are looking at strikers. Don't forget it was under AVB where he shone last season, falling out of form and down the pecking order under Di Matteo. Transfer action happens quickly as deadline approaches, and don't completely rule this one out. 

Who do you think will be leaving Chelsea?

image: © Ben Sutherland