How Chelsea could look after January transfer window, including Alaba, Zaha and Dembele

CHELSEA could be a completely different animal by the time they come to face Leicester on February 1.

Frank Lampard is armed with around £150million to spend during this month’s transfer window.

How Chelsea could look after the January transfer window

And with at least three areas needing reinforcement, it could be a very busy January at Stamford Bridge.

There have been some brilliant stories coming out of West London this season, such as the emergence of young stars including Reece James, Fikayo Tomori and Mason Mount.

But Chelsea have found themselves short in a host of different positions.

At left-back, Lampard has been forced to play club captain – and natural right-back – Cesar Azpilicueta, thanks to the woeful form of Emerson Palmieri and Marcos Alonso.

The Blues have been linked with a sensational move for Bayern Munich superstar David Alaba – and at £60m, for a player of his talents, the Austrian could be the bargain of the window.

Teaming up with James, Antonio Rudiger and Fikayo Tomori in front of Kepa Arrizabalaga, Alaba’s presence would give Chelsea’s back-four an immediately stronger feel.

Ben Chilwell is another left-back being linked with a move to the Blues – but they face competition from Manchester City.

At the base of the midfield, there’s no need to change a good thing, with N’Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic in superb form of late.

And with the likes of Jorginho and Ross Barkley providing able back-up, Lampard can avoid hunting for a new central midfielder this month.

But in the wide positions, the Blues boss needs some help.

Christian Pulisic and Callum Hudson-Odoi have both proven they are top talents for the future.

But the futures of Pedro and Willian are very much up in the air and could leave at some stage in 2020.

So adding a new winger to provide support and competition will be crucial – and wantaway Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha could finally join the Blues.

Up front, Michy Batshuayi and Olivier Giroud have struggled whenever given a chance, meaning Tammy Abraham is forced to play himself into the ground.

Providing support in the form of “new Didier Drogba” Moussa Dembele could be a huge coup – with Timo Werner another option.

Chelsea are also keen on Jadon Sancho, but at well over £100m, they may need to wait until the summer to reignite their interest.

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk