Reported Real Madrid Transfer Target Ramires Is 1 of Few Chelsea Expendables

Ramires could be on his way out of Chelsea, joining reigning European champions Real Madrid for £25 million in January.

That's the breaking news this week, according to Barry Glendenning of The Guardian and a host of other outlets.

Should Chelsea fans be overly concerned? Not really.

It's territory that's already been charted where the Brazilian midfielder is concerned. As recently as June, Ramires was being linked with a move to the Spanish capital, only Jose Mourinho was quick to deny the rumours, telling Marca (via ESPN.co.uk) at the time: "Ramires is staying at Chelsea. He's not for sale. I have an excellent friendship with important people within Real Madrid and they know that Ramires is going to stay at Chelsea."

The capture of Toni Kroos and James Rodriguez seemed to put an end to the club's interest in Ramires. After all, even Real Madrid have to call time on their spending at some point.

With Xabi Alonso since joining Bayern Munich, however, the need for a player of Ramires' ilk to fill a gap in midfield is suddenly on the agenda.

From once being among the core of players Chelsea seemed to be building their future, things have changed for Ramires.

Chelsea are far stronger than when he arrived in 2010—incidentally being signed by current Real boss Carlo Ancelotti—leaving the Brazilian among the few expendable talents at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea aren't carrying too many players these days.

In defence, it's the usual suspects of John Terry, Gary Cahill, Branislav Ivanovic and Cesar Azpilicueta they just cannot do without.

Further forward, Nemanja Matic, Eden Hazard, Willian, Oscar and now Cesc Fabregas are vital, and in attack, we all know about Diego Costa and his goals.

They're all players who, when absent, leave Chelsea missing that edge.

It's not the same for Ramires. Chelsea get by just fine without him.

In the past couple of seasons, he's developed a worrying ability to pick up avoidable suspensions which, last year, saw him miss vital matches as the title race reached its conclusion—a period when numbers were paramount.

And with his form peaking in the club's 2011/12 Champions League success, he hasn't scaled such heights since.

Mourinho has been wise in his recruitment policy at Stamford Bridge this year.

When the manager returned to Chelsea in 2013, it took him longer than many expected to mould the squad to resemble something more in his vision. There was an imbalance that has been addressed, and with the players that have been added, Ramires' position has been squeezed.

Where does he fit into this Chelsea team now?

The midfield pivot has looked best with Fabregas and Matic this season, and further forward, Ramires doesn't have the technical ability or nous to compete with Andre Schurrle, Hazard, Oscar and Willian.

He's becoming a reserve, back-up to a team that he has struggled to evolve with.

Indeed, his best displays have come from the bench this term, where Ramires has made a bigger impact than when he has started.

Against Swansea City, the Brazilian was effective in helping Chelsea turn the game around, going on to win 4-2 after enduring a difficult opening period.

His performance was vintage stuff, something we had come to marvel in his early Chelsea career. He needs to do it consistently, though, and with so many other talented stars around him, the chances of that happening are looking slim.

When Real Madrid are willing to pay £25 million for a player developing into a benchwarmer, it's money most clubs cannot refuse, especially when Chelsea's talented crop of youngsters are beginning to make big noises and need opportunities to make their mark.

Lewis Baker would be the biggest winner in that sense, with a spot opening up for him to be eased into Mourinho's plans.

Baker's talents do not mirror Ramires', yet that needn't be a prerequisite.

Ramires' energy and tough tackling is replicated elsewhere in this Chelsea squad. They don't need to replace it. Instead, Mourinho needs to add more craft in an area of the pitch to connect defence and attack to champion the counter-attacking style that is bringing rewards.

It's no surprise Chelsea's free-flowing opening goal against Manchester City on Sunday came when Ramires had been replaced by Schurrle 10 minutes earlier.

Breaking free from a City corner, Chelsea were more fluid than at any point in the game, every player knowing his role and executing play to perfection—the result being Schurrle's tap in at the far post of Joe Hart's goal.

It was a wonderful team move and one that, with Ramires in the midfield, Chelsea aren't always capable of executing.

Mourinho is a wise old head. Keeping Ramires at the club this summer avoided too much change at a rapid rate, but come January, this Chelsea team will be well into the next stage of its evolution.

When that time comes, Ramires will be among the few expendables at Stamford Bridge.

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Garry Hayes is Bleacher Report's lead Chelsea correspondent. Follow him on Twitter @garryhayes