5 Players Who Could Replace Mohamed Salah at Chelsea

It hasn't worked out for Mohamed Salah at Cheslea.

A surprise signing from FC Basel in January, the Egyptian was supposed to challenge the likes of Andre Schurrle and Willian for a starting place alongside Oscar and Eden Hazard.

After a bright start, where he scored against Arsenal in a 6-0 rout in March, Chelsea fans have yet to see the best of Salah, and now the Evening Standard is reporting he will be sold come January, ending his stay in west London after just one year.

Jose Mourinho is a shrewd operator who will not let Salah leave without ensuring Chelsea remain strong in attacking midfield.

Salah's departure will leave a place free in Mourinho's squad, so who will fill it?

Bleacher Report looks at five players who could be recruited for first-team duties at Chelsea.

Julian Draxler

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Julian Draxler is a player who has been on the radar of many leading European clubs.

He is one of Germany's brightest young stars, and having faced him in the Champions League for the past two seasons, Chelsea are well aware of the threat he carries from midfield.

Draxler is a different player to Mohamed Salah in that he enjoys playing more through the middle, cutting in from the flanks to do his damage centrally.

Salah gives Jose Mourinho the option of changing things from the bench tactically.

That said, a player of Draxler's ilk would allow Mourinho to rotate his squad more effectively. It would mean the burden being distributed among his four other attacking midfielders, helping to avoid fatigue and injuries at crunch times of the season.

Chelsea already have players of Draxler's ilk, but with Salah no longer in the picture, one more isn't going to damage them.

Marco Reus

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Only this week Chelsea were being linked with a move for Borussia Dortmund's Marco Reus in the Daily Star.

The theory was that Andre Schurrle would go the other way, but if a move is being planned, could the proposed sale of Mohamed Salah instead be to free up space for Reus' arrival?

The German is an exciting talent and again, like Julian Draxler, would offer so much to this Chelsea team going forward.

Reus scores goals, he creates goals and his pace is a considerable asset in evading his marker.

Jose Mourinho has always been fond of players with those qualities (what coach wouldn't be?), and Reus certainly fits the bill.

Aaron Ramsey

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Aaron Ramsey isn't a player who has been linked with a move to Chelsea or any other club, but rumours are one thing and pulling off deals another.

The Welshman is a real class act, and without him, Arsenal lose an edge in midfield.

He is a driving force for the Gunners, helping them get forward to cause damage in the final third. He is no stranger to finding the back of the net, either.

Indeed, such are Ramsey's qualities, he could allow for Cesc Fabregas to play further forward, dropping into the pivot alongside Nemanja Matic.

The point is, he is an effective player, one who can adapt to the various tactical requirements throughout a season.

Ramsey wouldn't be a direct replacement for Mohamed Salah, although he would bring something different and far more positive as a result.

Lewis Baker

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It's not just about signing players to replace those moving on.

And when you have an academy team producing so much talent like Chelsea have, it shouldn't be about that either.

Lewis Baker is among a group of Chelsea players who has long been spoken of as becoming a first-team regular, but for one reason or another, he hasn't been given the opportunities.

There's no doubting his talent, either. He is an exceptional young player, but at 19 years old, the time is coming for him to be making appearances, whether from the bench or as a starter.

Mohamed Salah is one of the players blocking his path to the first team, so with the Egyptian out of the picture, perhaps Jose Mourinho will be more inclined to give Baker his chance.

Izzy Brown

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Aged 17, Izzy brown is almost two years Lewis Baker's junior, but he is already showing signs of what a talent he is.

Brown played a starring role in Chelsea's pre-season campaign this summer, and coupled with his form for the youth team, it all suggests Jose Mourinho has a real gem on his hands.

Being so young, the need for Brown to be making regular appearances right now isn't as vital as it is for Baker, but the experience would certainly be of great benefit to his development.

Were Brown to play a similar role to Salah, it would mean cup games and cameos from the bench would be his opportunity to impress, and that would be an ideal situation for him as he builds his career.

Garry Hayes is Bleacher Report's lead Chelsea correspondent. All quotes obtained first-hand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter @garryhayes