Frank Lampard and 5 Players Chelsea Must Sell in January Transfer Window

Chelsea have a lot of good players, but some of them need to be sold.

Depending on their position, current role or apparent future, there are some players the club should sell to make some money, create roster space or provide a better team for the future. Every situation is different, but each of these players ought to be on their way out this January.

Things can change, but as of now, all of these players should be wearing new uniforms when the calendar turns to February.

Alex

Alex has been with Chelsea since 2007, but he has not seen significant time since 2009.

He is a very strong defender, but he lacks pace. He is a great defender in the air and on the ball, but he is susceptible to chasing faster strikers, which simply doesn't work with Andre Villas-Boas. The new manager is trying to develop a quicker attack-oriented team, and I just don't think Alex fits that bill.

With Branislav Ivanovic starting and David Luiz waiting in the wings, there doesn't seem to be a first-team spot ready for Alex. He hasn't played too poorly this year, but he simply does not appear to have a very good future with the club.

Nicolas Anelka

When he has played this year, Nicolas Anelka has looked dangerous.

He has a goal, an assist and seven shots on target while playing in every game. Nevertheless, he's another player who doesn't seem to fit with Andre Villas-Boas' system.

The French international has put in a solid three years for the Blues, but his time is about to come to an end. He is turning 33 this season, and the team definitely wants to get younger.

Villas-Boas will still be able to make some money if he sells Anelka in January. Dozens of clubs could use a solid striker, and if the Blues are committed to making the pairing of Fernando Torres and Didier Drogba work, Anelka will have to be on his way out.

Salomon Kalou

I love watching Salomon Kalou play. He has great pace, intensity and will to win.

Unfortunately, he doesn't quite have the technical skill to be a striker for Andre Villas-Boas.

He is a great counter-attacking option, but he does not finish his chances well enough to work up top in an attacking offense. In order to be considered dangerous, he has to be able to put the ball in the back of the net (same thing applies to you, Fernando Torres).

With that said, I just don't feel like Kalou has a chance to break into the starting XI. He has been at Stamford Bridge for over five years, and he has started fewer than half of those games. At this point, it doesn't look like the Ivorian will ever be a reliable starter.

I like watching him play, but I think Kalou will be better off with another club.

Florent Malouda

Florent Malouda is a technically-gifted, strong winger.

Yet, he doesn't appear to be in Chelsea's future plans. The 30-year-old has shown some good form, but who knows how long that will last. By selling him in January, Andre Villas-Boas is still getting some value for talent.

Villas-Boas wants to make Chelsea a strong community, and Malouda is notorious for throwing teammates and coaches under the bus. If the Blues can sell Malouda while some clubs would still pay a nice price for him, it will be a valuable transfer.

Frank Lampard

Frank Lampard just played his 350th match for the Blues, and he will be remembered as one of the greatest players in club history.

That being said, he should be gone this year.

It's a tough reality, but it makes sense. Lampard is clearly past his prime, and even though he still has plenty left in the tank, he simply doesn't have the pace or versatility to play in the attack Andre Villas-Boas is currently installing.

Yes, he will have great matches where he will score goals (recently at Bolton), but that is an anomaly, not a trend. There are plenty of great clubs out there that will still pay for Lampard's services, and Chelsea should sell while they have the chance.

That being said, Lampard is a legend, and he should be treated with nothing but respect. Chelsea should only sell him to a club that he approves of, and they should not make it a public issue. At least not until any deal is final, where it will surely be one of the biggest stories in recent English Premier League history.

Chelsea need to start looking towards the future, especially with how good Manchester United will be for the next decade. By selling the 33-year-old midfielder, Chelsea will be illustrating how they are closing one chapter, and opening a new one.

I'm going to miss you, Frank.