Having had a productive and somewhat busy winter transfer window, fans of Chelsea FC will be brimming with confidence right now, especially after last night's victory over Manchester City. It looks like all of the latest arrivals at Stamford Bridge are joining up with a team very much on course for success this season, or at the very least a concentrated effort to qualify automatically for the Champions League. Signings Mohamed Salah, Nemanja Matic and Kurt Zouma have come in during January - though Zouma headed straight back out on loan - and the business concluded by Jose Mourinho looks like a signal of intent for next season rather than this one, which fits with his post-match comments about getting his horse to race next year, and not this. But, even with these three significant signings, Chelsea still have a few issues surrounding possible additions and departures, and there are a number of questions relating to the status of the squad that really need to be addressed in the summer transfer window. It's likely to be a busy window for Mourinho, and it's likely that each of the following issues will heavily inform his activity when the transfer window reopens in July.
5. Expiring Contracts Of John Terry, Ashley Cole And Frank Lampard
It has been well reported already that vastly experienced players Terry, Cole and Lampard are all entering the final months of their current deals with the club, and one report has suggested that the trio will have to wait until April 'at the earliest', before finding out if they will be given new deals. All three players were a huge part of the success that Mourinho tasted during his first spell in charge of the Blues, and he will recognise that such experience can make a huge difference at key moments during the footballing season, provided there is balance in the squad. They are all seen as big name Premier League stars, and each still has something to give at this level, despite their age, but it does seem that age is the one thing that could count against them when it comes to getting a new contract. With all they have achieved at Chelsea, letting any of the three walk away from the club and sign somewhere else would be unacceptable, and given the way in which some deals are done now in the modern day, fans are rightly worried about any of these Chelsea favourites leaving the club in the summer. And with Terry still club captain, Ashley Cole still a part of the defence and Lampard still able to find the net from midfield as he has always done, it is little wonder why so many questions are being asked about these key men and where their futures lie come the summer. There can be no doubting that should they become surplus to requirements, there will be good list of suitors for all of these accomplished players.
