Chelsea They are enjoying a strong first season under Enzo Maresca. Despite the poor results achieved by the Blues recently, the Blues still occupy fourth place in the standings Premier League There is intense competition to qualify for next season UEFA Champions League.
They also fly in Conference League. Marisca's team finished top of the group stage in the new format, winning all six of their matches and scoring a record 26 goals. However, there is room for improvement.
The Blues have struggled in defense all season, keeping just four clean sheets in the Premier League, with their problems compounded in recent weeks by injuries to Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile. Fofana is expected to miss the rest of the season, while Badiashile is set to miss until at least February.
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The Blues also had some issues going forward. Despite the improvement, Nicholas Jackson still missed too many chances, while Noni Madueke was disappointing on the right wing. Meanwhile, Mykhaylo Modric is currently suspended for failing a drug test.
To address these ailments, Chelsea must use the January transfer market to look for some reinforcements. Here are seven players we think they should consider signing:
1
Mark Guehi
Crystal Palace
Mark Guehi, who came from Chelsea's academy before being sold to Crystal Palace for an £18m fee in 2021, has been linked with a sensational deal. Back to Stamford Bridge this month.
He spoke with CaughtOffside earlier this month, a journalist Fabrizio Romano said that Guihi He is a player that Chelsea “like” and that a move for him has “already been discussed and considered internally”.
Chelsea must do everything they can to sign Guehi. Not only has he established himself as one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League since his move to Palace, but he is also familiar with Chelsea, meaning it would take him less time to adapt if he returned to west London.
Chelsea legend Frank Lampard, who gave Guehi his Chelsea debut while in charge of the Blues in 2019, is a huge fan of the Palace star.
After Guehi's impressive performance in England's first two group stage matches at Euro 2024, Lampard… He told BBC Radio 5 Live: “I gave him his first game at Chelsea and he is a really polite and humble boy. You can see that he has all the attributes that will take him a long way, especially the character. He wanted to do a good job.”
“I loved the idea of working with him at that time because when a young kid comes in and shows that humility and wants to do well, that's great to work with as a coach.”
2
Jonathan got lost
Bayer Leverkusen
One potential impediment to Chelsea's potential move for Guehi could be his price tag, believed to be £65m.
If that fee is deemed too expensive for the powers that be in the bridge, the Blues could instead turn their attention to Bayer Leverkusen and German defender Jonathan Tah.
The 28-year-old helped lead Leverkusen to their first Bundesliga title last season, but has confirmed he will leave the BayArena either before or when his contract expires this summer. There is no doubt that Leverkusen would prefer to avoid losing him for nothing, so January may be the right time for Chelsea to swoop in and sign him at a competitive price.
Tah has recently been described as “Probably the best defender in Germany” By Liverpool coach Arne Slott.
3
Wilfred Singo
AS Monaco
Monaco defender Wilfried Singo has been one of the standout defenders in Ligue 1 over the past year or so, impressing with his pace, strength, aerial ability and interceptions – which is what makes him shine. It ranks in the 99th percentile When compared to players in his position across Europe's top five leagues over the past year, according to FBref.
It also ranks in the 94th percentile for progressive loads and 95th for successful executions.
“He's a really good defender. He can play in many defensive positions.” Monaco manager Adi Hutter recently said about Singowho played at right-back, centre-back and even right midfield this year.
“He can do a lot when it comes to free kicks,” Hutter said. “He's a good header, thanks to his style and determination with the head. He's a fighter and a fighter.”
Chelsea currently need cover in a number of defensive positions, whether at centre-back to replace Fofana, or at right-back to cover for the injured Reece James and Malo Gusto. Singo's versatility and skills make him a perfect fit.
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4
Gregor Koppel
Borussia Dortmund
It's no secret that Chelsea need a new goalkeeper. Although he occasionally makes a great save or two, current No. 1 Robert Sanchez is very error-prone and not good enough with the ball at his feet to play out from the back as Maresca would like.
According to German newspaper Bild, Chelsea are looking to sign Borussia Dortmund Gregor Kupil comes on as a substitute for SanchezIt's easy to see why.
Coppell joined Dortmund from Bundesliga rivals Stuttgart in the summer of 2021 for a fee of around £12m.
Since then, he has made over 130 appearances for Die Schwarzgelben, keeping 46 clean sheets, and establishing himself as one of the best goalkeepers in German football.
“At Dortmund, Gregor developed into a world-class goalkeeper who attracted interest from several top clubs in Europe.” Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl said Coble last year.
5
Dani Olmo
Barcelona
Christopher Nkunku's future is currently up in the air. While Maresca insisted on his desire to keep the Frenchman, there is interest from a large group of clubs, Including Manchester UnitedAnd some Reports indicate that he is ready to move on Due to the lack of Premier League minutes in West London.
If Nkunku leaves, Chelsea will have a vacant spot in attacking midfield, which Dani Olmo could suitably fill.
The Spanish midfielder finds himself in trouble at Barcelona, which was unable to sign him for the second half of the season due to financial difficulties.
Fortunately, according to Spanish football expert Guillem Balague, Olmo has a clause in his contract It will allow him to terminate his contract and become a free agent.
If he does, Chelsea must act. Former RB Leipzig boss Julian Nagelsmann described him as “Outstanding football player”The 26-year-old has exceptional ability on the ball, a powerful long-range shot, and a great eye for through balls.
6
Ademola Lookman
Atalanta
Ademola Lookman's move to Chelsea is not a transfer that is likely to happen, nor has it even been rumored, but it is one we would like to see.
The 2024 African Player of the Year has enjoyed great success in Serie A since joining Atalanta in 2022. He scored 44 goals and made 24 assists In 100 matches for Gian Piero Gasperini's team.
It is worth noting that he scored a hat-trick in the Europa League final last season, as Atalanta won its first major European title.
He's quick, skillful, creative and, perhaps most importantly for Chelsea, has a great habit of getting into the box at the back post to score. Maresca has previously publicly asked this of his strikers such as Noni Madueke and Pedro Neto this season, but they rarely deliver.
Plus, Lockman has a point to prove. Everton, Fulham and Leicester City never gave him a chance to shine while he was on their books. Finally, Chelsea's brilliance will prove them all wrong not to do so, but in fairness, he may have already done so.
7
Milos Kerkez
Bournemouth
Just as Chelsea needs reinforcements at centre-back and right-back, Chelsea also needs reinforcements at left-back. Marc Cucurella is doing well at the moment, but he cannot play every game, while Malo Giusto simply cannot underestimate the importance of this winger, and Maresca has made it clear that he is not ready to trust youngster Renato Vega there yet.
Meanwhile, Ben Chilwell has been told he could leave Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea are said to have Priest Bradley Loco Stuttgart's Borna Sosa is on their radar as options, but the dream acquisition, at least in our opinion, would be Bournemouth's Milos Kerkes.
The Hungarian has been one of the standout defenders in the Premier League this season, strong in defense and powerful in attack, with both sides showing his game when he puts in goal. Man of the match performance in the 2-1 win over Manchester City Back in November.
Kerkez provided his side's two assists on the day, and also made three clearances, two recoveries and one interception.
After an equally strong performance against Manchester United last season, he became Bournemouth's coach Andoni Iraola heaped the praise “I think Milos played a great game,” the 21-year-old said.
“He was really good defensively. He was really good going forward. He played more forward, and I think that's the kind of game where he finds more space, he can run, carry the ball, find two-on-ones. I think that suits him well.” “Very good.”