Arsenal, Liverpool & Spurs On Alert As Chelsea Prepare January Clear-out

Chelsea are prepared to sell up to six members of their first team squad as part of a huge over-haul in January, alerting the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham.

The players set for the chop include Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou, Jose Bosingwa, Paulo Ferreira and the already transfer listed Alex and Nicolas Anelka.

Its being reported that both Alex and Anelka have been banned from using first team facilities ahead of their January exits. Liverpool and Tottenham have both been linked with Anelka, but it’s expected the Frenchman will sign a multi-million pound deal with Chinese outfit Shanghai Shenhua.

Arsenal and Liverpool are both interested in Ivorian striker Kalou, who is out of contract in the summer and free to talk with clubs in January, and Chelsea are keen to sell now instead of letting the player run down his contract and leave for nothing. A fee of around£5m may be enough to land the versatile 26-year-old.

Drogba is perhaps the most interesting case as he’s still regarded as a first team player at Stamford Bridge, but like Kalou, is out of contract in the summer. Several clubs including rivalsTottenham, are keen on signing the striker but it’s believed Drogba is wanting to end his career with a lucrative move to the Middle East.

The departures will leave huge holes in the Chelsea squad and it’s believe Andre Villas-Boas has identified the likes of Gary Cahill, Eden Hazard, David Villa and Eduardo Vargas as possible replacements. Chelsea staff are also keen on promoting promising young defender Nathaniel Chalobah to the first team set up.