The world of football appeared to forget Antonio Conte's Chelsea had just gone on a thirteen-game winning streak in the Premier League following their defeat to Tottenham Hotspur last week.

The Blues were defeated 2-0 by Spurs at White Hart Lane thanks to two Dele Alli headers to deny them a Premier League record of 14 consecutive wins. According to pundits and fans alike, the result once again blew the title race wide open.

But if you had said to Chelsea fans at the start of the season that come this time of the year they would be five points clear at the top of the table, having just won 13 of their last 14 fixtures, they would have lapped it up. In fact, so would have any set of supporters.

The Blues still remain firm favourites for the title, and given their performance in midweek - albeit only against League One side Peterborough United - they show no signs of slowing down.

That does not mean change shouldn't come at the Bridge however, with January the time to bring in both the new year and new players, and there is still plenty of room to strengthen, especially looking ahead to next season when the Blues will almost certainly be back in Europe.

Unfortunately, bringing in new talent means letting go of some of those already at the club, and with Chelsea's squad already uber-strong, it may be time to say goodbye to few of the familiar faces at the Bridge.

Here are four Chelsea players we think Antonio Conte should sell before the end of the transfer window.

Branislav Ivanovic

Serbian Ivanovic has been a loyal servant to Chelsea over the years. I would go as far to say as he has been one the club's best and most consistent players of the last decade, playing a vital role in the Blues' Premier League and European successes.

However, there comes a time when a player must accept that he is becoming a squad player or move on. While he still possesses undoubted quality, there is no denying his form has dipped, and unfortunately, he just doesn't have the legs to fulfil the right wing-back role in the new formation adopted by Chelsea under Conte. A solid addition for any other Premier League team.

Nemanja Matic

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Matic has gone some way to rediscovering the form of 2014/15, in which he excelled as Chelsea won the Premier League title, but he hasn't quite got there. It is becoming clearer and clearer that N'Golo Kante is now the main man in the Chelsea midfield and even the defensively-lapsed Cesc Fabregas has been preferred to Matic on occasion this season, suggesting the Serbian is the more expendable option. Kante and Matic operate in too similar a way to be a long-term midfield partnership.

John Terry

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Captain. Leader. Legend. Time for John Terry to keep it that way. While many Chelsea fans were disgusted at Terry's treatment at the end of last season, with the club seemingly refusing to offer him a new contract, his lack of involvement this year suggests letting him go may have been the more sensible option.

The longer Terry stays at the club and becomes a bit-part player - especially when putting in poor performances like against Peterborough in which he was sent off - he will only damage his legacy. There are a number of great young defenders coming through at the Bridge such as Kurt Zouma, Andreas Christensen and Jake Clarke-Salter; could it be time for Terry to take up a coaching role or is a big move to China on the cards?

Asmir Begovic

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Chelsea's Asmir Begovic makes a save
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While at Stoke, Asmir Begovic looked a formidable shot-stopper, but his form for Chelsea hasn't been quite so impressive.

The 'keeper has made just four appearances this season, three in the EFL Cup against West Ham United, Leicester City and Bristol Rovers and one which came last weekend in the FA Cup against Peterborough United. He has conceded six, and is yet to find the net as he did so famously that one time at Stoke. That is why Chelsea signed him right?