It’s astonishing that Chelsea hasn’t made a single acquisition during the January transfer window thus far.
Five players—Benoit Badiashile, David Datro Fofana, Andrey Santos, Joao Felix, and Mykhailo Mudryk—had already signed contracts at this time last year. In the last 11 days of the window, Noni Madueke, Malo Gusto, and Enzo Fernandez all followed, pushing Todd Boehly’s expenditure above the £300 million threshold.
The absence of action at Stamford Bridge this time around is mostly due to the Premier League Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR). In a perfect scenario, Mauricio Pochettino will add several fresh faces to his team.
In light of this, football.london examines the tasks Chelsea has to finish in the final two weeks of the January transfer window.
Chelsea needs reinforcements in several areas as a top priority. Pochettino’s team has identified a new center-forward and center-back as positions in need of reinforcement.
Though many strikers have been linked to Chelsea, none of the targets have even approached the club about joining. Benjamin Sesko, a striker for RB Leipzig, is one person who deserves consideration.
The youthful forward, who is reportedly a target for Arsenal, has a £43 million release clause in his German contract. Leipzig shouldn’t have any trouble accepting a price similar to that this month, even though it only became active in the summer.
Before joining the Bundesliga, Sesko scored 29 goals in 79 games for Red Bull Salzburg. Since then, he has scored seven goals. Nonetheless, he is a good substitute for Nicolas Jackson in the attacking role due to his towering frame and quickness.
Three names have been mentioned as being on the club’s shortlist for centre back. Ousmane Diomande has surfaced as a potential possibility, along with OGC Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo and Crystal Palace forward Marc Guehi.
Football.london is aware that the Blues and Sporting CP began discussions last month, although deciding whether to exercise his £69 million release clause will be challenging. The Ivory Coast international has been connected to both Liverpool and Arsenal, so Chelsea would be wise to move quickly to sign him before he signs with a rival team in the Premier League.
PSR limits are a tactic employed in modern football to test the waters with a suggested loan move that includes a requirement to pay his release clause in the summer.
Alphonso Davies is arguably the most interesting newcomer in this ideal window scenario. Growing rumours about the Bayern Munich left-back’s future have made him an unexpected Chelsea target.
Pochettino is having trouble with Ben Chilwell’s ongoing injury setbacks, so Davies’ offensive prowess and defensive stability would be a welcome addition. Chilwell might be included in their offer, following Bayern’s recent practice of acquiring England internationals, according to reports.
Chelsea has to offload players in order to be involved in the January transfer window. Many players are still in the running to leave, including Ian Maatsen, who left on loan to Borussia Dortmund.
Armando Broja, Malang Sarr, Conor Gallagher, Trevoh Chalobah, and Conor Gallagher have all been connected to leaving West London. When it comes to earning money, Gallagher and Broja are the most likely to depart.
Gallagher is a fixture in Pochettino’s team, but Tottenham has been watching him for a while. Spurs are intrigued by the contract impasse, and making money out of it would only increase their chances of acquiring players.
Numerous Premier League teams are interested in Broja, who has had difficulty establishing himself in Chelsea’s squad. Although his rumoured £50 million price tag has drawn criticism, Financial Fair Play (FFP) constraints make the price tag reasonable.