Chelsea arrive at Christmas second in the Premier League table, fighting for higher honours than many presumed of them before the start of the season.

They were forced to settle for a draw against Everton that then allowed Liverpool to extend their advantage as top-flight leaders to four points with a game in hand, though Enzo Maresca has plenty of positives to isolate from whatever negatives may linger.

Christmas festivities often provide a time to appreciate what we have, and in Chelsea's case that is a prime opportunity to win the Premier League title - if not more this season.

READ MORE: Bukayo Saka new injury has proven Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca right about Cole Palmer

READ MORE: Liverpool boss Arne Slot issues honest Chelsea verdict amid Premier League title race

Next on the list for the Blues is a London derby at home to Fulham on Boxing Day afternoon. Here, football.london take a look at some of the latest headlines and rumours surrounding Stamford Bridge as well as providing a view...

Robert Sanchez replacement

Former Premier League striker Darren Bent has recommended Aston Villa's Emi Martinez as a replacement for Robert Sanchez - but only on one condition.

"I wonder if they (Villa) don't get the Champions League... I know he signed a new contract, but could he go? He could play for almost any team he wanted to. Chelsea could get him," he discussed on talkSPORT.

The Argentine made the decision to leave Arsenal for Villa in 2020. In that time he has helped the club qualify for UEFA's elite competition, won the Yashin Trophy and FIFA Men's Best Goalkeeper award twice each, and best of all, become world champion with his country at the last FIFA World Cup.

Whilst Chelsea's record has been superb overall this season, current shot-stopper Sanchez has been called into question for numerous mistakes and keeping only four clean sheets this season.

football.london says: If there is a weak point in this Chelsea side, it is Sanchez. The only problem is there haven't been any clear options on the market to change the situation. As a talented goalkeeper, Martinez is certainly an interesting suggestion, but at 32 years old, the club are just going to end up back scouring the market in no time. It seems pointless in that sense.

Axel Disasi move

According to Calciomercato and Il Bianconero, Juventus have made its first request to Chelsea regarding the transfer of Axel Disasi this January.

Having supposedly decided his time at Stamford Bridge is up with Maresca handing him only Europa Conference League opportunities, the Italian giants wish to know the central defender's availability and what it will take to get the deal complete in January.

It may not be straightforward, but financially it may make more sense for Juve than alternative targets. A loan before a permanent transfer for Disasi would cost less than 'first-choice' David Hancko from Feyenoord, then Antonio Silva of Benfica seems entirely unrealistic due to his high price tag.

Chelsea spent €45m (£37m) on Disasi in 2023, so it remains to be seen if they will oblige and how much money they would ask for in return.

football.london says: If a player is unhappy at Chelsea, they can hardly be left to breed unrest in the dressing room. If he wants to go, let Disasi go. The one warning to give to Maresca in this situation is that the reason he has a team in the title race is because he has been able to field two separate squads in domestic and European action - never sacrifice that depth or the team will succumb to injuries.