What a difference 12 months can make!
Chelsea have re-established themselves as a true powerhouse in English football under new manager Enzo Maresca, who continues to ignore rumors of a title challenge despite going into Christmas sitting second in the Premier League table.
The new boss has repeatedly insisted that this young Chelsea team is not yet ready for such a high-pressure environment, although it is up to you whether you really believe in it.
However, there are still some potential holes in Maresca’s group, and the January transfer window provides the opportunity to strengthen and push forward for the rest of the campaign.
Let’s take a look at Chelsea’s transfer wish list for January 2025.
In Enzo Fernández and Moisés Caicedo, Chelsea have two of the fittest midfielders in world football. Behind them, Romeo Lavia is also doing a great job. However, the depth beyond leaves a little to be desired.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall arrived in the summer for £30m but has largely operated as an emergency substitute, playing most of his minutes in the Conference League and rarely featuring in the matchday squad for Conference League matches. Premier League. An exit seems likely, either in January or in the summer.
Putting so much faith in three midfielders as we approach a hectic schedule and Conference League opponents who could require more than the reserves would be a major risk for Maresca, who may want to turn to the transfer market to find more cover. reliable.
Key objectives
It’s hard to know where Chelsea are going here. The Blues are highly unlikely to spend a significant sum of money considering the presence of Caicedo and Fernandez up front, although they may look to focus on youth rather than experience.
sports CP Dario Essugo has emerged as a possible target, while reports have also suggested that Chelsea will move for AC Milan. Youssouf Fofana or that of Atlético de Madrid Pablo Barrios.
Chelsea could try to get a player back on loan. Andrey Santos is shining for Strasbourg and should perhaps be given the chance to finish the season in France, while Lesley Ugochukwu will almost certainly see his loan with Southampton terminated unless new Saints boss Ivan Juric commits to increasing his minutes.
Chelsea definitely shouldn’t need another striker, but their plans have been thrown into disarray following Mykhailo Mudryk’s failed drug test. The Ukraine international has been provisionally suspended pending a full investigation which could lead to a ban of up to four years if found guilty.
Jadon Sancho continues to start on the left anyway, and Chelsea theoretically have Joao Felix and Christopher Nkunku, but Maresca doesn’t seem to trust either player in this wide role.
Youngster Tyrique George was recently promoted to the senior team, but whether the 18-year-old is ready to be Sancho’s immediate replacement is another question.
Key objectives
The fans have already begun to dream about Athletic Club Nico Williamsand reports have also thrown Bayern Munich Leroy Sane in the mix as he nears the end of his contract in Bavaria.
In reality, it is highly unlikely that Chelsea will spend much here, especially while they await the final outcome of the Mudryk case, but a loan move could make a lot of sense.
Manchester United Mark Rashford could be available but could only move to Chelsea if the Blues make Sancho’s loan permanent in January, as clubs cannot have more than one loanee from the same team. It is unclear whether Chelsea would have any interest in pulling off what would be an expensive deal.
Reports of interest in Borussia Dortmund Karim Adeyemi refuses to budge and could make sense if Dortmund, as some have claimed, are looking to sell to raise money.
Perhaps Chelsea’s biggest deal in January could be finalizing the latest round of departures from Maresca’s squad.
vice-captain Ben Chilwellalthough he is popular behind the scenes, he has only had 45 minutes and undoubtedly needs to leave, both for the sake of his career and to ease Chelsea’s wage burden.
Carney Chukwuemeka should be loaned, rather than sold, while offers could be accepted for Cesare Casadei amid rumors of interest from Serie A. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Marc Guiu and Christopher Nkunku Everyone must decide if they are happy as squad players or if they would like to look for moves elsewhere.
