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Chelsea could be tempted to dip into the transfer market and football.london's writers have had a go at predicting what business the club will do this month
The January transfer window is officially open - so, could Chelsea dip into the market to bolster Enzo Maresca's squad?
The Blues have endured an inconsistent season so far, despite strengthening their squad last summer by bringing in the likes of Joao Pedro, Liam Delap, Jamie Gittens, Jorrel Hato and Alejandro Garnacho.
And with Maresca desperate to land a top-four spot in the Premier League, Blues chiefs could give the green light to more new signings this month. With all that in mind, football.london's writers have a go at predicting exactly what Chelsea will do in the January transfer window...
Bobby Vincent
I think Antoine Semenyo would have been really good. A two-footed winger that can play on both sides, but it wasn't meant to be in that respect.
The Blues could do with another centre-back. The drop off in quality when Wesley Fofana is rested, which is often given Chelsea are trying to manage his minutes, is too big. Levi Colwill is expected to miss most of the season, so the west Londoners are quite light there.
They shouldn't be because Josh Acheampong can fill in there, but for whatever reason, Maresca does not yet trust the teenager to come in for Fofana in the middle of defence. So, in that case, go out and get a central defender. A leader.
Why not test Crystal Palace's resolve for Marc Guehi. He is someone the club have kept a close eye on ever since he left in 2021. Liverpool remain the favourites to sign him but reports suggest the Reds want to wait until the summer so they can get him on a free transfer.
Chelsea could throw a chunk of money at Palace, who surely would consider any offer given his contractual situation. There could also be a temptation to go out and get another No.9, but with Emanuel Emegha set to arrive in the summer, why not look at bringing the Strasbourg striker in a few months earlier?
Matt Maltby
The Blues need a proven striker, despite splashing the cash in bringing Pedro and Delap to Stamford Bridge last summer. Pedro's seven goals in 24 matches in all competitions is a decent return, but he just doesn't seem convincing as the main attacking threat.
It might be best dropping him into a deeper No.10 role to support the striker. Delap has struggled with injuries but having only really proven himself in the Premier League with Ipswich Town, a club competing for a top-four spot seems a step too far for the former Manchester City youngster.
So, who could the Blues get? Jean-Philippe Mateta could be tempted to leave Crystal Palace with talks over a new contract stalling - and the Frenchman is desperate to land a spot in his country's World Cup squad. The striker would surely jump at the chance of making the move to west London - and understandably so.
Whether or not the Eagles would be open to selling remains to be seen, but with Oliver Glasner also facing an uncertain future at Selhurst Park, Mateta could push for a dream move. He's struggled with an injury in recent weeks and has been wasteful in front of goal, but he'd likely get more chances with Chelsea's attacking support and would hit the ground running.
As well as a striker, the Blues need more control in defence too. Following their 2-2 draw with Bournemouth, the Blues have now dropped 15 points from winning positions in the Premier League this season - more than any other side. It’s as many as they dropped having led in the whole of 2024-25.
They need to sort out their defending from set-pieces, and throw-ins in particular. Both of Bournemouth's goals came from ambitious throws on Tuesday night, highlighting Chelsea's inability in defending at the moment.
Maresca is stacked with defenders, but his approach so far isn't quite working. They could do with a new Thiago Silva, someone who brings physicality and control to the back line.
Sam Truelove
You can never rule out Chelsea being active in a transfer window. The Blues have shown in the past that should an opportunity arise, they will happily jump at it.
I think a new centre-back could be on the agenda and my picks would be one of Marc Guehi or Dayot Upamecano. Both are out of contract in the summer and the Blues could look to sign them for a cut-price deal in January. Upamecano especially would be somewhat of a wildcard choice.
Both players would be a step up in quality to what Enzo Maresca already at his disposal. That could mean the likes of Axel Disasi is moved on, though. The same can be said for Raheem Sterling, who is amazingly still at the club despite not having a future under Maresca.
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