CHELSEA were told last week that they are now able to sign players in January, due to the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling in their favour and reducing the ban to one window.
As they had already served one window of the ban in the summer, they were cleared to be able to register new players in January again.
Wilfried Zaha has regularly been linked with moves away from Crystal Palace in recent yearsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Frank Lampard has been quite vocal in admitting that Chelsea would always look to improve the squad if they can, and the right players are available.
Since then, the rumours have started to fly as they always do around this time of the year.
But January can be notoriously difficult to buy players in, with it being a shorter window, prices inflate, and clubs don’t want to lose their best players halfway through the season.
So with that in mind, let’s have a look at the probability of some of Chelsea’s targets arriving in January, or the summer, starting with the most likely.
Wilfried Zaha – 7/10
The Crystal Palace striker has been looking to leave for the last two or three windows and his club have held off interest from the likes of Arsenal, Tottenham, and Manchester United in recent times.
But it feels now that finally there is an acceptance that they will have to let him leave in January, to be able to get a decent fee.
Chelsea seem to fit, it’s widely reported that he is a target for them, and they have the ability to makeweight the deal with a number of players including Olivier Giroud and Michy Batshuayi, should they wish to get the reported £80 million asking fee down.
I think this is quite likely, especially as he can bulk up the striker position as well as the wings.
Nathan Ake – 6/10
Chelsea are reportedly considering whether to use their £40 million buyback clause to bring Nathan Ake back from Bournemouth, with Manchester City allegedly also circling.
I think due to the fact that it looks like Marcos Alonso might leave in January, and Chelsea’s primary target to replace him Ben Chilwell is unlikely to leave Leicester in January, the chances of Ake arriving is quite likely.
He covers a number of positions at centre back, left back, and even in midfield. So this feels like it could be inevitable.
Nathan Ake has already been linked with Chelsea, Man City, Spurs and EvertonCredit: PA:Press Association
Timo Werner – 5/10
Lampard has hinted of improving his forward line, and when Tammy Abraham was injured, it was evident he needs another striker.
Werner reportedly has a release clause at RB Leipzig, albeit unclear exactly how much. Leipzig are also rumoured to be looking at signing Erling Haaland, which could be in preparation for Werner leaving.
So he is certainly a do-able move for January, although the links are yet to really gather any pace.
Fyodor Chalov – 4/10
Chalov plays for CSKA Moscow, where there are obvious links to Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich.
This probably makes these links viable. He is also a striker, so could be looked at as an alternative to Werner, or Moussa Dembele, who we come on to next.
Moussa Dembele – 4/10
Dembele has been linked with Chelsea quite a lot over the last few years, and is a player who they have watched regularly.
He is just as likely as Chalov for the striker position, so must be in there as well.
Jeremie Boga – 4/10
Boga has not had any strong links with returning to Chelsea. However, he is on here purely because he would be an easy deal to do, due to him also having a buyback clause.
If Chelsea found themselves in a position where they lost a couple of players in January such as Willian, or Pedro, and decide not to pay out on Zaha, Boga becomes a fairly likely pursuit.
He has also spoken recently about returning to Chelsea.
Frank Lampard has earmarked Jadon Sancho as the man to replace Eden HazardCredit: Getty – Contributor
Jadon Sancho – 2/10
Sancho is heavily linked as being a primary Chelsea target, but in reality, he is more likely to stay at Dortmund until the summer.
The only reason that he is a 2 is because Chelsea might attempt to buy him, but allow him to stay at Dortmund until the summer, just as they did with Christian Pulisic.
Ben Chilwell – 1/10
I’d actually rate this one as a zero chance of happening in January, but in this game you can never say never, so there is always a slight chance.
But in reality, even a transfer request and a £200 million offer probably won’t get you Chilwell in January, it will even be a difficult pursuit in the summer, unless he physically asks to leave.
Brendan Rodgers has already ruled out Leicester selling any of their star playersCredit: Getty – Contributor
To conclude the report, here are some outside possibilities…
Alex Telles
His agent has said before that one day the Porto left-back will play for Chelsea. He’s constantly been linked with a move, and could become an option in the summer if Chilwell is not achievable.
Alex Grimaldo.
Another left-back that could well become an option alongside Telles and Chilwell.
Sander Berge
Berge is a highly rated deep midfielder that has a little bit of everything about his game. If he arrives, it will probably be the summer, and will depend on other circumstances, with the midfield area already being stacked.
Kai Havertz
Another player being watched by Chelsea, a pursuit could become a reality here again depending on circumstances, players sold, other targets etc.
Ousmane Dembele
Another unlikely outside bet, but there are whispers so it cannot be ruled out.
Of course this does not mean that these are the only players that could join Chelsea, there will be many other names I am sure we will start hearing about, and other players being looked at that we don’t know about yet.
Ashley Cole tells old Chelsea team-mate Frank Lampard to splash cash on Ben Chilwell after transfer ban lifted
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
