Shock Newcastle signing, Marc Guehi return - Chelsea January transfer priority revealed
Chelsea may not intend to be too busy in the January transfer window. But with the winter market now open for business, it would be folly to think the Blues will not dip their two in the water.
It may well be that outgoings are more prolific than incomings during this window, with a number of players in need to a move away from the club.
But there will be rumours surrounding signings, particularly in defensive and forward areas. Enzo Maresca will always be alert to ways he can improve his squad, despite the burgeoning numbers he has at his disposal already.
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Here football.london writers take a look at the one priority signing Chelsea should make this month.
Bobby Vincent
Chelsea supporters were rocked by the news on Friday that Wesley Fofana could miss the rest of the season. It does not look too great for Benoit Badiashile either, who will be sidelined until at least February.
It leaves Chelsea very short at centre-back. While Aaron Anselmino has been recalled, it is understood the club will not put too much pressure on the Argentine teenager as he tries to adapt and settle into a new climate.
So, it does make you wonder; do Chelsea need a new centre-back? If so, who? Well, we know that Marc Guehi is someone that has been on the club's agenda for a long time - virtually since the day he left, ironically.
Have a go. Try and tempt Crystal Palace with a good offer - and it would have to be that for the Eagles to even consider selling the England international. Centre-back, though, does seem the priority at the moment.
Lee Wilmot
Chelsea are blessed with good options in the middle of the park and up front. It is at the back where they struggle a little bit, particularly with Wesley Fofana's latest injury and Reece James only just returning albeit we do not know for how long.
The last three results have seen the Blues drop out of the title race picture, leaving Arsenal as the sole challengers to Liverpool, if we're discounting Nottingham Forest from being able to sustain this form for the entire season.
I still think it is in goal where they are the most troubled. I wouldn't use the word short, since they have about 15 goalkeepers on the books at Stamford Bridge.
A top goalkeeper could just settle that defence and give them a basis to build from, no matter who is in front of him. Nick Pope is just coming back from injury at Newcastle, but may just find his path blocked by the excellent form of Martin Dubravka. He would be an upgrade on Robert Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen that's for sure.
Joe Doyle
I think Chelsea have to strengthen at both ends of the pitch within the next year - a top class forward and an improvement in goal. Whether they've already secured that with some deals for up-and-coming young keepers remains to be seen, but Robert Sanchez is not of the required level for a team hoping to win the Premier League.
I think in January it will be tough to get either of those deals done, so then it comes to where the Blues can realistically strengthen. I don't see them bringing in anyone good enough to improve their first XI in January, so then it's more about depth, and they probably need another centre-back with Wesley Fofana out for most, if not all, of the rest of the season.
There are a few former Chelsea stars linked with moves recently - Marc Guehi and Fikayo Tomori among them. While Guehi is probably the more accomplished of the duo, it will be hard to convince Crystal Palace to part ways with him in January - and it won't be cheap if they do manage it. Instead, bring Tomori in to shore things up and add competition.