Chelsea have lots of work to do in order to qualify for the Champions League next season and Graham Potter will start shaping his squad for the future in this January transfer window.
The Blues currently sit tenth in the Premier League despite a record breaking summer transfer spend of £272 million and are expected to continue spending this month. Signing such as Kalidou Koulibaly and Raheem Sterling were hoped to bring star quality to the squad and are yet to do so, but who will join them as Potter looks to revamp his squad.
There are a number of issues to resolve, with Benoit Badiashile having been brought in to shore up the defence but there are question marks over midfield as well. The striker role is also a problem for Potter, with the long term injury suffered by Armando Broja and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s lack of goals.
Here, we take a look at some of the names who have been tipped by the bookies to join Chelsea this January.
All odds via Sky Bet and correct at the time of publication.
Moises Caicedo – 5/1
Following a successful World Cup, the Ecuadorian Brighton midfielder could be a long term answer to the problems are facing in their midfield.
Havign worked with Potter at Brighton there is a definite chance that he will be tempted to join Chelsea and he could bring much needed steel to the midfield. Liverpool are believed to be the frontrunners, but his established relationship with the Blues management could work in their favour.
Joao Felix – 11/2
Another of Portugal’s World Cup squad, the Atletico Madrid forward is expected to leave the club within the next couple of transfer windows due to his lack of success in the Spanish capital. Manchester United and Arsenal will both rival the Blues for his transfer but he would certainly help bolster the Blues attacking line-up.
Graham Potter will favour the player’s versatility and his clever style of play could fit well into his fluid system in a similar fashion to Kai Havertz. This is certainly one to keep an eye on.
Declan Rice – 6/1
A player who has been linked consistently with a move to the other side of London following his breakthrough at West Ham, Rice is thought to be closer to leaving West Ham than ever amid their current struggles. Arsenal are expected to rival the Blues for his signature, but his past as in the Blues academy and his relationship with players such as Mason Mount could work well in their favour.
His World Cup performances show that he is more than capable of operating at the elite level and Chelsea may bee finally tempted to make a move this month amid their current issues.
Rafael Leao – 6/1
The 2021/22 Serie A MVP is one of the most sought after attacking talents in the world and proved in his Champions League performances against Chelsea earlier this year that he has the talent to succeed in the Premier League.
Manchester City could rival the Blues for his transfer which could cost in the region of £88 million but his role as a left winger could see Chelsea pursue a move for a player in a position which they are less well stocked in such as a striker.
Wilfried Zaha – 6/1
The Crystal Palace winger is available on a free transfer in the summer and Chelsea could pursue a cut price move this month due to his availability.
At 30 years old, the winger may be looking at a move to a bigger club for the final years of his career and Chelsea’s proximity to his home as well as their need for attacking reinforcements could make a transfer a likely option.
Alexis Mac Allister – 9/1
The Brighton midfielder has been elevated to one of the most sought after talents in this January’s transfer window following his starring role in Argentina’s World Cup win. The midfielder is capable of playing a number of roles and was a versatile option within Graham Potter’s Brighton setup.
He is not one of the most favoured players with the bookies and this could be down to the fact that the Blues already have Mason Mount who has a similar profile. However, links will persist and his existing relationship with Potter mean that Chelsea remain the favourites should he make a move this month.
Goncalo Ramos – 9/1
The Benfica striker has become one of the most sought after young strikers in the world in the past year and his World Cup hat trick against South Korea only cemented his reputation. Chelsea’s current goalscoring issues mean that they are one of many clubs linked to his signature and Manchester United could provide stern opposition.
One potential pitfall could be the current situation of negotiations for Enzo Fernandez, with Benfica unlikely to allow two of their biggest talents leave in the same transfer window.
Source: Football London
