5 Players Whose Chelsea Career Could Come to an End in the Summer

Antonio Conte has been confirmed as Chelsea's newest manager, and we're expecting the Italian to ring the changes this summer.

That means some tactical shifts and new systems brought in to the club, as things at Stamford Bridge have gone stale this season.

It also means plenty of ins and outs are expected as the squad is given a new lease of life.

We can speculate on who Conte will look to bring in, but who at Chelsea is at threat of receiving the chop? Which players have struggled to impress most this season? Where are the Blues vulnerable, and where do they need to reinforce?

Bleacher Report identifies some Chelsea stars who could be in for an uneasy summer.

NB: This list is made up solely of Chelsea first-team players, with those out on loan not featured.

Thibaut Courtois

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After an impressive debut campaign at Chelsea where he ended Petr Cech's Stamford Bridge career, Thibaut Courtois has suffered from second-season syndrome this time out.

It hasn't been pretty at all, starting with a red card against Swansea City on the opening day. Courtois received his marching orders for a second time this term in the recent 3-0 loss to Manchester City.

A poor defence in front of him hasn't helped, but Courtois hasn't always covered himself in glory, either.

Will Chelsea look to actively sell the Belgian based on this season? Hardly. He still remains among the world's finest goalkeepers, and at 23, he has his career ahead of him.

At the risk that this season wasn't just a blip in his development, though, the right sort of offer could turn Chelsea's heads. If Real Madrid make good on the rumours of a £79 million bid, for instance, as reported by the Sun's Alex Terrell, the Blues would be foolish to turn it down.

That money would allow Antonio Conte to invest heavily elsewhere in a squad that is in desperate need of it.

Chelsea need to strengthen their defence and add some more mettle to the midfield. Cashing in on Courtois will allow them to do that, knowing Asmir Begovic is more than capable of first-team duties.

Gary Cahill

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Normally a reliable and consistent performer, Gary Cahill has endured probably his worst season for Chelsea.

Since joining from Bolton Wanderers four years ago, the Englishman has added strength to the back line. He even ousted David Luiz as John Terry's preferred defensive partner.

The uncertainty at Stamford Bridge this year hasn't helped him at all. Branislav Ivanovic's poor form at right-back has left Cahill exposed too often this term, while the struggling Nemanja Matic in defensive midfield hasn't helped, either.

It's all meant Cahill's confidence has been knocked, and he hasn't looked as assured.

With Terry expected to leave this summer, Conte is looking for a big player to fill that void. Rather than looking for someone to complement Cahill in that sense, there's every chance the new boss may decide to rebuild from scratch and introduce a defensive partnership more in his vision.

That's where Conte is in a unique position compared to Chelsea managers of the past. He doesn't have much to work with, as this squad is well past it's sell-by date, so he can build it more in his vision. Whenever that is the case, those who still remain are often in dangerous territory, much like Cahill now.

Nemanja Matic

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Signed two years ago and billed as Chelsea's saviour in defensive midfield, the Serb delivered on that mandate. Until this season.

Nemanja Matic has looked jaded all year. His self-belief has been low, and the fear for him is that things have been so bad that he'll never rediscover his best in a Chelsea shirt.

Is it the pressure of playing for Chelsea that has brought about this collapse? Was it the environment created by Jose Mourinho? Worse still, has Matic already peaked and is now in decline?

Whatever the reasons, Antonio Conte may not wish to take the time looking for the answers. Instilling Chelsea's power back into the midfield will be one of his priorities, and the Italian needs to trust those he is deploying in that area.

On this season's showing, Matic isn't up to it, and that could well shape Conte's decision. We know what he's done in the past for the club, but the former Benfica man has completely disappeared this season.

What may also work against him is that he will still command a significant transfer fee that will allow Conte to recruit other players he is targeting.

John Obi Mikel

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John Obi Mikel hasn't had many supporters during his time at Chelsea. It's clear that Guus Hiddink is one, though.

Chelsea's interim manager has played him regularly from the moment he returned to Stamford Bridge in December.

In the short term, Mikel's role as the midfield anchor has worked, too. Cesc Fabregas has benefited playing alongside him, and Chelsea have looked more resilient than they were when the Jose Mourinho era imploded.

That said, there's always been a feeling Mikel has filled that role more as a temporary measure. Like Hiddink, he's felt like a custodian for the interim.

If Chelsea are to get back to what we know, Antonio Conte needs to add some dynamism to the middle of the park. He needs a midfielder with the ability to play at a high intensity, but one who can also offer plenty more outside of defensive duties.

Mikel isn't that man. He's too laboured in possession and, despite some encouraging displays this season, he isn't consistent enough.

For the modern game, Chelsea need a player with more edge.

Oscar

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The Brazilian is quite possibly the most frustrating player in Chelsea's squad. At times he's sublime, producing moments of wonder that make him appear a real world-beater. But then he disappears for months at a time and offers Chelsea little.

Could this summer finally be the year that Chelsea have seen enough? If Juventus have their way, then yes. According to the Sun's Matt Heath-Smith, Massimiliano Allegri is determined to bring the Brazilian to Turin this summer.

For the same reasons as the other players in this list, Oscar doesn't offer the sort of qualities Antonio Conte will be looking for. He mainly operates as the No. 10 in this side, but he lacks the creative edge to test defences like a No. 10 should. The 24-year-old doesn't create enough goals and doesn't score enough, either.

His lack of pace makes him redundant in wider positions, too.

Unless Conte drops him deeper in midfield, it's difficult to imagine Oscar spending another season in west London.

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