A football finance expert has predicted that N’Golo Kante or Jorginho could end up leaving Chelsea if Leandro Paredes arrives at the club.
Blues boss Maurizio Sarri wants a replacement for Cesc Fabregas, who recently left for Monaco.
Reports suggest that Chelsea are edging towards a deal to sign Zenit St Petersburg midfielder Paredes.
And Kieran Maguire, an academic who specialises in football matters, has told the Daily Star he believes one of two Chelsea midfielders could end up being phased out after the new man comes in.
Maguire has compared Sarri trying to play Jorginho and Kante in the same side to England’s attempts over the years to play Steven Gerrard alongside former Chelsea star Frank Lampard.
Maguire said: “Fabregas became a squad player rather than a first choice.
“So I think he [Paredes] could shake things up. Their biggest issue is Kante and Jorginho.
“Trying to play those two in the same team is like playing Lampard and Gerrard in the same team.
“It doesn’t quite work. So if he does come in, Sarri may have to let one of the others go.”
Sarri has repeatedly defended playing Kante in a more attacking role for the Blues this season.