What's the Outlook for Chelsea's Fringe Players Under Jose Mourinho in 2015/16?

With the glamour and prestige that come with playing for Chelsea, life at the Premier League champions isn't always as easy as many would think.

Jose Mourinho's players may well be handsomely paid and enjoy lifting silverware, but there can be a suggestion of careers regressing in some cases.

For every Eden Hazard, there's a Mohamed Salah. For every Nemanja Matic, a John Obi Mikel.

While Hazard is rightly celebrated for his genius, he can have a black hole effect on those around him. Being that good sucks the life and everything out of his teammates who play in a similar position.

In Salah's case, how can he ever expect to overcome the challenge from the Belgian when Hazard is Chelsea's star man, the club's double Player of the Year last season?

He can't, so in the process, his own prospects have faltered. Salah hasn't been the player Chelsea thought they were signing—rather the complete opposite.

It was only on loan at Fiorentina last term when he featured regularly that he hinted at what he can offer.

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It's been the same for plenty of other players who have joined Chelsea, being sold on a move by the ideal of playing for one of England's premium clubs only for the reality to be far removed.

Now with the expected arrival of Asmir Begovic from Stoke City—his transfer is imminent, according to the Guardian's Stuart James—the Bosnian goalkeeper looks to be the next in line to suffer on the fringes of Chelsea's first team.

Petr Cech has already failed at attempting to fight off Thibaut Courtois for the No. 1 jersey, so it's difficult to imagine how Begovic will fare any better.

From being Stoke's first choice and making over 35 appearances in 2014/15, he's faced with the possibility of barely breaking into double figures at Stamford Bridge.

As we look to the coming season, Chelsea's fringe players have much to consider.

We saw last term how Mourinho stood by his first-choice XI for much of the campaign, so we can expect he will again as he attempts to successfully defend that Premier League crown.

If Chelsea stand still, they run the risk of being caught by their rivals. Equally, Mourinho knows just a few tweaks can keep the rest at bay while also opening the door to a serious shot at winning the UEFA Champions League.

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It's not those fringe players who will make the biggest difference, however. Mourinho will be looking to those elsewhere to add something extra to his options.

The manager is a creature of habit. For all the intricacies of Mourinho's approach, his most trusted is rather a simple one: If it's not broken, he rarely sees any point in attempting to change things.

That old adage serves Mourinho well, but not necessarily his players.

To quote another oft-used phrase, familiarity breeds intent for Mourinho, and he isn't going to change his ways any time soon.

Last year, the spine of Chelsea's team was clear and there was little need for adjustment, either.

The back five at Chelsea picks itself, as does the midfield pivot that Matic and Cesc Fabregas dominated so often.

Hazard is the standout talent further forward, while Willian is all but a guaranteed starter on the right of the attacking midfield three.

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And when we consider Diego Costa's prowess as the lone striker, Falcao and Loic Remy's chances are already looking limited if he can stay free of injury and suspension.

Ramires, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Mikel, Salah, Filipe Luis, Begovic—those fringe players and others are competing for limited opportunities.

If anything, their competition isn't with the big names that reside at Stamford Bridge but more among themselves. They're scrapping it out for, well, scraps.

They're the ultimate supporting cast, unselfish in many cases as they sacrifice their own aspirations for the benefit of those around them. Their purpose is to serve for the greater good—namely as the back-up for the more talented individuals they share the dressing room with.

For Loftus-Cheek, a 19-year-old academy graduate who is still honing his craft, that's a fine situation to find yourself in.

Games here and there are of benefit to him as he absorbs the wisdom of world-class talent.

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When a player is entering his prime years, or is indeed in his prime, the situation is far different. They want to be playing regularly, not wasting their time pulling a wage as the best years of their career pass them by.

It's a difficult position they can find themselves in. In one instance, they'll crave the challenge of establishing themselves at a major club. In the other, the desire to play is significant.

For those not directly in Mourinho's circle of trust, the outlook on a personal level is a rather bleak one.

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