Chelsea Transfer News: Willian, Juan Cuadrado Exit Rumours Sparked by Pedro Deal

Chelsea’s proposed signing of Pedro has got Blues fans excited, but some of the players in Jose Mourinho’s squad may be a little concerned about their own places moving forward. Indeed, both Willian and Juan Cuadrado have already been linked with moves away from Stamford Bridge.

As noted by Marc Williams of the Daily Star, the Barcelona winger’s arrival is imminent and already it looks as though the Blues are making space for him. Bleacher Report’s Andy Brassell takes a look at what Pedro will bring to the Chelsea team:

Willian, according to TZ Online (h/t Williams) has already been offered to both Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain. Williams notes that the Brazil international’s time on the pitch will reduce because of Pedro’s arrival and he could leave the club in search of more regular action.

However, it’s difficult to see a player that’s become such a key fixture of the Chelsea side ushered out. As noted by sports writer Jake Cohen, Willian has seen off plenty of perceived competition for his spot in the side many times before:

Blessed with unrelenting energy, blistering speed and a creative eye, the Brazilian fits the bill perfectly for Mourinho’s team. As such, especially in the big games, the manager will still find a place for the winger on either flank; the addition of Pedro should inspire Willian to lift his levels even higher too.

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Bleacher Report’s Sam Tighe thinks a positional change may even be in order for the 27-year-old:

If there isn’t quite enough room in the Chelsea squad for all these attacking players, the one man who is most likely to make way is Cuadrado.

According to David Amoyal, translating for GianlucaDiMarzio.com, the Blues are open to the possibility of loaning the Colombia winger out for a season, with Juventus keen on taking him on a temporary basis should they fail in their pursuits of Julian Draxler and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

MIGUEL MEDINA/Getty Images

The piece notes that Cuadrado, who only signed for the Blues in January, is set to leave Chelsea and has “other offers” aside from the Bianconeri.

As noted by John Bennett of BBC, the Colombian has never quite been able to show his class since being drafted in to replace Andre Schurrle in January:

It’s certainly a shame for the Premier League. At his best Cuadrado is a tremendous throwback winger and a player who can light up a stadium with his box of tricks. But it seems as though Mourinho doesn’t fully trust the former Fiorentina man and a return to Serie A may be the best course of action to reignite the player’s career.

Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

After all, it seems pretty apparent that the Premier League is not the best fit for Cuadrado, per Squawka Football:

Of the two players linked with moves away from Chelsea, Cuadrado is certainly the man most likely to leave. He’s been on the periphery of the squad ever since joining and the purchase of Pedro will only serve to shunt him further down the pecking order. Willian is, and will continue to be, a vital component of the champions’ first team.

Chelsea have looked a little flat in the opening weeks of the season, perhaps contented by their title win from last term. But Pedro’s arrival will rejuvenate the players, keep competition levels high and, sadly for Cuadrado, push any surplus parts closer to the exit door.