Chelsea had a great summer and signed some top quality players, regardless of whether a few of them are taking a bit more time to settle than others.
But this is natural in a new league with new teammates, and I fully expect
them to starting banging goals in soon.
Chelsea should make a shock move to bring back Diego CostaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
But what does this mean for Chelsea’s January transfer window? Let’s dive into it here…
What positions do Chelsea need to buy in and why?
In January, this purely depends on any outgoings. Chelsea could sell Jorginho and Antonio Rudiger if they get a cash offer that matches their valuation. So if that happens, we would need to sign a defensive midfielder and another centre-back.
Antonio Rudiger could be on his way out of ChelseaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
A new winger has been mentioned and I wouldn’t be against that, purely because I’m not confident whether Christian Pulisic can play a sustained run of games injury free.
We also only really have two out and out wingers at the club, with Hakim Ziyech actually seeing himself as more of a number ten than a wide player.
The only other position would be a new striker if Olivier Giroud leaves, although it does look like he is now staying until at least the summer.
Who should they be looking at as transfer targets?
The cliche answer here is Declan Rice, and I rate him a lot. He is Frank Lampard’s priority target and I think he brings everything we need in terms of leadership, organisation, and physicality exactly where we need it on the pitch – bang in the middle.
If we are looking to bring in a winger, then I would be looking at Leon Bailey from Bayer Leverkusen. He’s hitting some form now and starting to look a lot more like the complete player.
For centre-back, if Rudiger and Fikayo Tomori did leave, then I would look to bring in Ben White from Brighton. He is being scouted heavily by the club and Lampard likes him. Then in the summer I’d go for an elite centre-back with David Alaba being my ideal choice, but he now looks set on joining Real Madrid.
But White could come in as a third choice for the rest of the season behind
Kurt Zouma and Thiago Silva, who are both generally doing well this season.
Ben White is attracting the interest of ChelseaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Finally, if Giroud goes, I’d go and get Diego Costa in on a free transfer. I was
initially against it because he is not the same player he was and the manner he left the club wasn’t great.
But as a third choice centre-forward with his grit and passion, it can only be a good move. But I don’t think he would rejoin anyway.
Who should be heading out the exit door this January and why?
If we are signing Rice, which I do believe will be VERY tough in January, then Jorginho should really be sold. He is purely a backup for Lampard right now and Chelsea can still get a good fee for him.
Marcos Alonso needs to be sold but will likely only be loaned, I would also loan out Kepa Arrizabalaga because his value is decreasing by the day by not playing.
As well as that, I can see loan departures for Danny Drinkwater, Baba Rahman, Tomori, and potentially Emerson Palmieri (if he goes we have great backup choices in the academy, or could recall Ian Maatsen).
Willy Caballero apparently wants to leave, so he could go if Kepa stays, and then there could potentially be a loan deal for a couple of the academy stars such as Faustino Anjorin.
BETTING OFFER: CLAIM RISK FREE £20 BET WITH PADDY POWER
Do you expect more backing from board and are they doing their bit?
The Chelsea board are still backing Lampard for now, but of course this could soon change after a few more defeats or bad performances.
But Chelsea are still looking to sanction Lampard’s move for Rice, so in that sense they are certainly still doing their bit here.
We won’t see a lot of money being spent this month because of the summer, if any at all. But if Lampard feels he needs something else, then the board will back him with this within reason.
@SiPhillipsSport
⚽ Read our Chelsea live blog for the very latest news from the Bridge
Frank Lampard reacts to potential pressure on his job after Chelsea losses
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
