Kepa Arrizabalaga Photo: VCG

 

There are those who consider the most important of any football season to be the players that have been added before the first match.

"Winning" the transfer window is a relatively new concept but one that that has nonetheless taken root in an era of social media and instant gratification.

When fans around the world are focused on signings over results, talking in terms of net spend as a metric to get one over their opposition and constantly calling for the clubs, to "announce player X, Y or Z" then it is going to become part of the fabric of football.

The truth lies less on deadline day than in what happens on the pitch. "The proof of the pudding is in the eating," as they used to say, or "the proof is in the pudding" once that became too much of a mouthful even for those who favored pudding-based adages.

This season the clubs of the English Premier League will start seeing the proof of their puddings from September 12 and fans of those clubs would do well to remember that on social media lest they have to eat humble pie.

Nonetheless, the view right now - as we wait for Lionel Messi to reunite with his former Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola at Manchester City or for former City winger Jadon Sancho to pop up across town at Old Trafford via Borussia Dortmund - is that Chelsea have "won" this transfer window.

The influx at Stamford Bridge has undoubtedly been impressive in its scope as well as its speed, seemingly making up for lost time after a transfer ban for irregularities signing youth players.

These signings have included Germany international striker Timo Werner from RB Leipzig, Paris St-Germain's veteran Brazilian defender Thiago Silva, Leicester City's England fullback Ben Chilwell, and Malang Sarr on a free transfer from OGC Nice this summer.

That came on the back of an early pre-agreement for Ajax star Hakim Ziyech and the Stamford Bridge side do not appear to be done yet, being linked to yet more players - including Bayer Leverkusen's Kai Havertz, AC Milan goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and West Ham United's Declan Rice - before the deadline passes on October 5.

That is all great news for manager Frank Lampard as he looks to mould the club into his own image next season, his second at the club after replacing Maurizio Sarri last summer after just one year in full-time management with Championship side Derby County.

Last season, the club's record scorer was praised for his willingness to play the youngsters who came through the club's academy as he took the side to fourth in the English Premier League and qualified for the UEFA Champions League, while also reaching the final of the FA Cup.

The pressure will undoubtedly be on his new-look side after such a busy summer wooing some of the world's best.

It also becomes more difficult as he needs to sell players, if not to balance the books but to thin out the squad.

Willian has already left for Arsenal, while Pedro has gone to AS Roma but the others to leave have either been nowhere near the first team - Mario Pasalic leaves to Atalanta after six years at Chelsea with no appearances, Nathan leaves after five years with no appearances to Atletico MG - or were essentially already gone, as was the case with Alvaro Morata.

More first-teamers have to follow, the question is who will do so? Here are six players that may have to leave for Lampard to succeed.

Kepa Arrizabalaga

It has long been reported that Lampard has lost his patience with the man signed as the world's most expensive goalkeeper back in 2018. The Spaniard was believed to be in agreement after losing his place as first-choice keeper but there has been talk of a U-turn after the signings of Chilwell and Thiago Silva. That change of heart might not save him, although the initial fee and four years left on his contract might yet see the 25-year-old stay at the Bridge.

Emerson Palmieri

The left-back has failed to oust Marcos Alonso in two and a half years at the club and new signing Chilwell has to be Lampard's first choice so something has to give. Emerson has interested Inter Milan according to his agent and a move to what is becoming the destination of choice for those leaving the English Premier League might suit all parties.

Tiemoue Bakayoko

Another player who might be suited to a move to Serie A is the midfielder who never quite impressed his qualities on a succession of Stamford Bridge bosses since signing from Monaco for 40 million pounds under Antonio Conte. The once-capped France international has been on loan at both AC Milan and former club Monaco, with the Milanese said to be interested in securing him on a permanent basis.

Ross Barkley

The England international - 33 caps and counting - has flattered to decieve since ­moving from hometown club Everton. There is a feeling of unfulfilled potential for the 26-­year-old, who might be best finding it elsewhere with the club's options in midfield. Jorginho, N'Golo Kanté, Mateo Kovacic and Mason Mount have all been picked ahead of him and that's before the return of Ruben Loftus-Cheek from injury, breakout star Billy Gilmour and Ziyech's arrival.

Michy Batshuayi

The Belgium international is much loved on social media but much less on the pitch for the Blues. He just has not lived up to his obvious talents and fell behind the static Olivier Giroud even before Werner arrived with all his Bundesliga-proven efficiency in front of goal. He has only a year left on his deal.

Danny Drinkwater

His signing was a shock and somehow what happened next was more so. Last seen in a blue shirt in 2018, the former England midfielder was on loan at Burnley last season, where he may have spent longer in a bar brawl than he did the 59 minutes in their shirt before being sent back in January.