Chelsea Transfers: 10 Players Who Could Be Sold By Jose Mourinho This Summer

5. Frank Lampard

Lampard is one of the all-time great Chelsea players and the idea of him leaving will no doubt strike deep sadness into the hearts of many fans. His 17 goals last season made him the club's all-time top goalscorer, a phenomenal feat for any midfielder, and while fans outside the club have rarely rated him as highly as he deserves, those who have enjoyed the privilege of watching him week after week are acutely aware of the positional awareness, phenomenal off-the-ball movement, readiness to do his defensive work and eye for a sensational pass which put him among the world's best at his peak. Sadly, his performances this season have put forward an increasingly convincing argument that his peak is a thing of the past. It may be wiser to leave fans with fond memories now than taint his legacy by fading out over a longer period of time: his 7 goals scored isn't bad, although this looks like being the first season since 2002-03 when he hasn't hit double figures, and even his once excellent passing is looking increasingly shaky. High tempo games tend to pass him by and his tame penalty against Stoke - despite scoring the follow-up - was one of many recent signs that his powers are on the wane. The creativity of old also seems to have gone missing, a shame not only for him but also a Chelsea squad in desperate need of inspiration following the departure of playmaker Juan Mata. Lampard was expected to be pushed out of the club when it was purchased by Roman Abramovich and a number of expensive acquisitions were made in his position. Instead, through hard work and exceptional dedication, he became the driving force behind the club's subsequent success. His standing is right up there with Gianfranco Zola in the club's pantheon of legends, but sometimes you have to accept that it's time to set your loved ones free.