What a difference 12 months can make.
Chelsea have returned to being a real force in English football under new manager Enzo Maresca, who continues to play down talk of a title challenge despite going into Christmas sitting second in the Premier League table.
The new manager has repeatedly insisted that this young Chelsea side is not yet ready for such a high-pressure environment, although whether you really believe him is up to you.
However, there are still some potential holes in Maresca's squad, with the January transfer window offering an opportunity to strengthen and push for the remainder of the season.
Let's take a look at Chelsea's transfer wishlist for January 2025.
In Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo, Chelsea have two of the most in-form midfielders in world football. Behind them, Romeo Lavia is doing a great job as well. However, the depth beyond that left a little to be desired.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall arrived in the summer for £30m but has operated mainly as an emergency reserve, playing most of his minutes in the Conference League and rarely even making the matchday squad for Premier League games. An exit looks likely, either in January or in the summer.
Putting so much faith in three midfielders as we approach a busy schedule and League Conference opponents who may demand more than the reserves would be a huge risk for Maresca, who may want to dip into the transfer market to find a more reliable cover.
Main objectives
It's hard to know where Chelsea go from here. The Blues are unlikely to spend any significant sums of money given the presence of Caicedo and Fernandez ahead of them, while they may look to keep their focus on youth rather than experience.
CP Sporting Dario Essugo has emerged as a possible target, while reports have also suggested Chelsea move for AC Milan Youssouf Fofana or Atletico Madrid Pablo Barrios.
Chelsea could look to bring a player back from loan. Andrey Santos is shining with Strasbourg and should probably be given the chance to see out the season in France, while Lesley Ugochukwu will almost certainly see his loan spell at Southampton come to an end unless new Saints boss Ivan Juric commits to increase his minutes.
Chelsea definitely shouldn't need another wide forward, but their plans have been thrown into disarray following Mykhailo Mudryk's failed drugs 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 have Joao Felix and Christopher Nkunku in theory, but Maresca doesn't seem to trust either player in that wide role.
Youngster Tyrique George was recently promoted to the senior squad, but whether the 18-year-old is ready to be Sancho's immediate replacement is another question.
Main objectives
Fans have already started dreaming about Athletic Club Nico Williamsand reports have also dropped that of Bayern Munich Leroy Sane in the mix as he nears the end of his contract in Bavaria.
In reality, Chelsea are highly unlikely to spend much here – at least not until they await the final outcome of the Mudryk case – but a loan could make real sense.
of Manchester United Marcus Rashford may be available but can only move to Chelsea if the Blues make Sancho's loan permanent in January as clubs are not allowed more than one loanee from the same team. It is unclear whether Chelsea would have any interest in pursuing what would be an expensive deal.
Reports of interest in Borussia Dortmund Karim Adeyemi refuse to settle and could make sense if Dortmund, as some have claimed, are looking to sell to raise cash.
Perhaps the biggest piece of business from Chelsea in January could be finalizing the latest round of departures from Maresca's side.
Deputy captain Ben Chilwellalthough popular behind the scenes, he has only been given 45 minutes and clearly needs to go, both for the sake of his career and to ease Chelsea's wage bill.
Carney Chukwuemeka should be borrowed, rather than sold, while offers may be entertained Cesare Casadei amid rumors of interest from Serie A. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Marco Guiu AND Christopher Nkunku everyone has to decide if they are happy as team players or if they would like to pursue moves elsewhere.