Chelsea to rid themselves of two stars to fund a move for Thiago Silva’s successor

Chelsea keen to sell Kepa Arrizabalaga and Antonio Rudiger to fund Declan Rice transfer

According to The Express, Chelsea chief Marina Granovskaia is keen to ensure Frank Lampard gets his wish of signing West Ham United star Declan Rice.

However, given the expensive summer have just had, the Blues will need to sell before they can buy. Kepa Arrizabalaga and Antonio Rudiger appear to be the players who are set to be axed.

Neither player has been pivotal to our impressive run this season. Kepa’s position has been usurped by Edouard Mendy while Rudiger has made just a handful of appearances.

Rice has been on Chelsea’s radar for a while now. Despite being linked with us all summer, a deal could not be reached.

He has since gone from strength to strength at West Ham this season. Rice is now a consistent performer who has shown he has what it takes to be a consistent contributor at the top level.

Chelsea for their part have benefitted greatly from signing Thiago Silva. The veteran defender has helped turn around a defence that was personified open season last time around.

At 36, the Brazilian ace is never going to be a long-term solution. Chelsea view Rice as the ideal player to succeed Silva as the club’s defensive lynchpin.

While Kepa and Rudiger have struggled at Chelsea, they have enough ability to succeed elsewhere. Moreover, selling them will free up funds for Rice.

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A return to Stamford Bridge would be vindication to Rice, who was on Chelsea’s books as a youngster. He was released at the age of 14 and went on to join West Ham.

Hindsight is a good thing to have, failing which an excellent transfer negotiator like Granovskaia will also do.