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Liam Rosenior could welcome a few new faces to Stamford Bridge before the January transfer window slams shut
Liam Rosenior will be eager to bolster the Chelsea squad before the transfer window slams shut at the end of the month. The former Strasbourg boss will get a first look at his new players on Wednesday night when the Blues lock horns with Fulham at Craven Cottage.
He will be in the stands before taking the reins on Thursday. Those who struggled to establish themselves as key players under Enzo Maresca will be determined to make a great first impression and secure a place in Rosenior's side when Chelsea face Charlton Athletic in the FA Cup on Saturday afternoon.
Meanwhile, those who were rarely dropped in the past will be desperate to retain their place in the starting lineup. The next couple of weeks could make or break the futures of some at Stamford Bridge.
And, Rosenior, who has signed a long-term contract, could be inclined to delve into the market. So, with that being said, journalists at football.london have put their heads together to decide who the new Chelsea should sign first.
Patrick Austen-Hardy
January is a hideously difficult time to sign players and it will be even harder for Chelsea with a new manager in situ. If Chelsea approach another club, they should expect the price to go through the roof, now Liam Rosenior is in charge.
They may have to look for players coming to the end of their deals. Options in defensive midfield are flakey beyond Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez. Reece James has been terrific in midfield, but if Malo Gusto picks up an injury, he may need to return to right-back.
With less than six months left on his deal, Ruben Neves looks like an excellent fit. He brings Premier League experience, leadership and would be more than capable of covering for Caicedo and Enzo in all competitions.
Andrey Santos is young while injuries keep on striking Romeo Lavia down. His contract at Al-Hilal ends in the summer, meaning he could be a cost-effective option. It would be a strong move for Rosenior's young Chelsea squad.
Bobby Vincent
There are a few areas of the Chelsea squad that need improving and when Rosenior assesses that in the coming days, that will become apparent to the Blues' new head coach.
The centre of midfield is an area that needs looking at. Unfortunately, Romeo Lavia's fitness cannot be trusted and we do not yet know when the Belgian will return from his latest injury.
Dario Essugo is closing in on a return from injury but will be eased back into action. It leaves Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo and Andrey Santos, who may be used in the No.10 more under Rosenior, as the options in midfield.
Adam Wharton looks to be on his way out of Crystal Palace. Whether that is in the January or the summer transfer window, we do not yet know but it is worth testing the Eagles' resolve.
The same can be said about Kobbie Mainoo, though the Manchester United midfielder may want to see what happens at Old Trafford regarding Ruben Amorim's replacement.
Isaac Seelochan
Chelsea haven't had a quality goalkeeper sign Edouard Mendy left in 2023. It's a position which has let them down on countless occasions over the past few seasons and it's baffling as to why they haven't addressed it.
But if they can break their strict policy of only signing young stars for the future - Milan's Mike Maignan would be an excellent. Of course, aged 30, it feels unlikely to happen, but the Frenchman has become his country's first-choice goalkeeper and has been seen as one of Serie A's best keepers for several seasons now.
The Blues need a commanding presence in net and with his contract expiring this summer, they could sign one of the world's best goalkeepers for a relatively cheap fee or wait to sign him for nothing in July.
Jake Stokes
Chelsea need to sign a new, reliable, world-class centre-back this month. Trevoh Chalobah and Wesley Fofana, as well as Benoit Badiashile at times, have shown glimpses of great promise this season, but none have managed to perform consistently at the very highest level.
A significant upgrade at the heart of defence will suddenly take the Blues to the next level. Until then, like Enzo Maresca, Rosenior stands little to no chance of competing for the Premier League or UEFA Champions League, which are trophies Chelsea should be expected to challenge for.
There's one problem, though. There aren't many world-class centre-backs on the market at the moment. So, in the meantime, Chelsea should sign Marc Guehi, who could be available for a cut-price fee with his contract at Crystal Palace set to expire in the summer.
Antonio Rudiger could also be an option, having yet signed an extension at the Santiago Bernabeu. Ultimately, Chelsea need a world-class centre-back to steady the ship and then partner Levi Colwill from next season onwards.
There needs to clear pathway for Josh Acheampong, who should eventually become a key player for Rosenior. Mamadou Sarr will also return from Strasbourg on loan in the summer.
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