Conte has given every player a chance despite having to sort through almost 50 footballers if not more. For that reason names like Ola Aina, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Victor Moses or Dominic Solanke can still be seen on the pre-match lot sheet. As time passes it is only normal for the Italian boss to become more thorough and figure out who really needs to stay in London and who needs to be let go in order to give youngsters or new transfers a chance to play more.  There’s also a matter of player satisfaction as some of them are unhappy with their status and consider leaving Stamford Bridge this January.

Right at the top of the list of those looking to move due to the lack of games is Cesc Fabregas. Giving him time on the pitch in the League Cup is very likely to be too little for the Spaniard who is known for twisting the arms of clubs whenever he wants to leave. The problem with him is that he is considered a homegrown player (must be on an English team for at least three years before the age of twenty-one) and a departure is not acceptable considering the other players with the same status are Asmir Begovic, Gary Cahill, John Terry, Victor Moses and Nathaniel Chalobah.  JT is very likely to retire at the end of the year and Nathaniel Chalobah and Begovic are not quite easy to squeeze in the starting eleven. In conclusion, as much as Fabregas may push to leave, it is very unlikely this will happen.

Next there’s Obi Mikel, who according to Metro, will look for a transfer this January. Here’s what the Nigerian international had to say about his future:

“I have one year left [on my contract]. When you have a year left as a football player, you have to start planning and start thinking about what’s going to happen at the end of the season.”

“‘When you have a year left, in January, you are allowed to talk to other clubs and sign a pre-contract or have an agreement so, yes, I will talk to other clubs because you never know what is going to happen.”

“I’ve been here for a long, long time. I’ve spent 11 years of my life in this football club, it is my home.”

“This season is the last at the club if my contract ends. I am quite relaxed about it, the future looks good

He has been linked to a move to Turkey and that is where he will probably end up.

There is one more move Chelsea could make at the beginning of next year. Apparently Eden Hazard’s brother, Thorgan, might rejoin his brother at Stamford Bridge. The 23-year-old, who was subject of a £5million permanent transfer to Borussia Monchengladbach, has a buyback clause of around double that which he was worth when leaving. It’s a bit much regardless of his form. He could be a good replacement for Fabregas though as they play a similar position. If Chelsea will decide to sell the Spaniard, his transfer fee will surely cover that of Thorgan.