Chelsea boss Roberto di Matteo could be caught short in the middle of the park after the sale of Raul Meireles.

Di Matteo continued his Chelsea clearout by selling Meireles to Fenerbahce for £8million.

The Portugal star was moved on just days after Michael Essien was loaned to Real Madrid.

His departure - a year after his £12m arrival from Liverpool - means Chelsea have just three central midfielders in Frank Lampard, John Obi Mikel and Oriol Romeu.