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Branislav Ivanovic is set to become the latest player axed by Jose Mourinho, with new signing Abdul Baba Rahman poised to go straight into the Chelsea team and Cesar Azpilicueta shunting over to right-back.

With the champions’ early-season form a growing concern, manager Mourinho is ready to place his faith in pacy Ghanaian left-back Rahman, whom he believes will do a better job of holding down the position than his now-sold predecessor, Filipe Luis.

Chelsea, who have reportedly had a third, improved bid of £30m for Everton centre-back John Stones rejected, travel to West Brom this weekend with Mourinho concerned about the form of two of his most experienced stars.

Right-back Ivanovic - impressive last season as the Londoners regained the Premier League crown and a key member of the side in recent years - has struggled to cope with Swansea’s Jefferson Montero in the opening game of this campaign and with Raheem Sterling at Manchester City on Sunday.

And centre-half and skipper John Terry was surpringly substituted midway through the champions’ 3-0 demolition at the Etihad.

In pictures — Manchester City 3-0 Chelsea:

Mourinho explained last week that the club’s pre-season programme this year had been designed specifically to ensure that his team do not run out of puff during the second half of the season - as they did last term, despite finishing top by eight points.

But he is ready to act after alarming displays from the two oldest members of his first-choice back-four.

Mourinho is set to move Azpilicueta over from left-back to his favoured right-back position to accommodate Rahman.

Ivanovic, now 31 and out of contract next year, spoke in pre-season about his determination to earn an extended stay with the club he joined from Lokomotiv Moscow in 2008.

(Image: Grant Halverson)

He has yet to agree a new deal, however, and could now face a struggle to get back into the team.

Club icon Terry, 35 in December, could also be left out of Sunday’s game at the Hawthorns, with Kurt Zouma - initially favoured to play in central defence alongside Gary Cahill against Man City before a late change of heart by Mourinho - poised to come in, after replacing the skipper at halftime at the Etihad.

Rahman, who cost £21.7million, was one of the stand-out players in the Bundesliga last season and he helped Augsburg qualify for the Europa League.

(Image: REX)

The 21-year-old agreed to leave for Chelsea after being assured he would get regular game-time in order for his development to continue, and that he would form a key part of Mourinho’s plans.

Chelsea have taken just a point from their opening two games of the season and are poised to respond with some late-window transfer activity before the deadline at 6pm on September 1st.

They are prepared to take their pursuit of Stones to the end of the window, with the firm belief that they will land the 21-year-old England international.

Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann also continues to interest them, despite the France international signing a new deal with an increased release clause.

Meanwhile, Marina Granovskaia - the right-hand woman of Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich - is continuing to ensure players are offloaded before sanctioning new arrivals.

(Image: Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno)

Flop midfielder Juan Cuadrado continues to be coveted by Juventus, but Chelsea maintain he will only leave if they are able to claw back the £23.3m paid to Fiorentina for him at the end of last season's winter transfer window.

Italian champions Juve are also interested in Oscar, but representatives of the Brazilian attacking midfielder maintain he will not be leaving.

Tottenham retain an interest in winger Victor Moses, and he too could leave before the end of the current window in order to accommodate new signings.

Rahman was only able to seal his transfer to Stamford Bridge once Chelsea were able to recoup the £15.5m they paid for him from Atletico Madrid, who bought Luis back just a year after selling him.