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What a difference 12 months can make.
Chelsea They have re-established themselves as a real powerhouse in English football under new manager Enzo Maresca, who continue to fend off talk of a title challenge despite heading into Christmas sitting second in the Premier League table.
The new boss has repeatedly insisted that this young Chelsea squad is not yet ready for such a pressure environment, although it’s up to you whether you believe him or not.
However, there are still a few potential holes in Maresca’s squad, with the January transfer window providing an opportunity to strengthen and build on the rest of the campaign.
Let’s take a look at Chelsea’s transfer wishlist for January 2025.
In Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caesdo, Chelsea have two of the most in-form midfielders in world football. Romeo Lavia is also doing great work behind him. However, the depth beyond that leaves a bit to be desired.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall arrived in the summer for £30m but has mostly operated as an emergency backup, playing most of his minutes in the Conference League and rarely making the matchday squad for Premier League games. A January or summer exit seems likely.
Putting so much faith in three midfielders as we face a busy schedule and Conference League opponents who may need more than the reserves will be a big risk for Maresca, who may want to dip into the transfer market to find some more reliable cover.
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It’s hard to know where Chelsea go from here. The Blues are unlikely to spend any significant sums given the presence of Caicedo and Fernandez ahead of them, while they may look to focus on youth rather than experience.
Sporting CP Dario Esugo has emerged as a potential target, while reports have also tipped Chelsea towards AC Milan. Yusuf Fofana Or Atletico Madrid Pablo Barrios.
Chelsea may consider bringing a player back from loan. Andre Santos has been shining with Strasbourg and should probably be given a chance to see out the season in France, while Leslie Ugochukwu will almost certainly see his loan spell with Southampton come to an end unless new Saints boss Ivan Juric promises to increase his minutes.
Chelsea certainly shouldn’t need another wide forward, but their plans have been thrown into disarray following Mykhailo Mudric’s failed drugs test. The Ukraine international has been provisionally suspended pending a full investigation which could carry a ban of up to four years if found guilty.
Jadon Sancho continues to start on the left anyway, and Chelsea have both Joao Felix and Christopher Nakku in theory, but Maresca doesn’t trust either player in the wider role.
Young Tarik George was recently promoted to the senior team but whether the 18-year-old is ready to be Sancho’s immediate deputy is another question.
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Fans have already started dreaming about Athletic Club Nico WilliamsAnd reports have also been thrown at Bayern Munich Sane Leroy He comes into the mix as he nears the end of his contract in Bavaria.
In reality, Chelsea are unlikely to spend big here – at least not while they await the final outcome of the Mudric case – but a loan move could make real sense.
Manchester United Marcus Rashford Could be available but Chelsea can only go if the Blues make Sancho’s loan permanent in January as clubs are not allowed to take out more than one loan from the same team. It is unclear whether Chelsea would have any interest in pursuing what would be an expensive deal.
Reports of interest from Borussia Dortmund Karim Adeyemi Refuses to go down and could make sense if Dortmund, as some claim, want to sell to raise money.
Perhaps the biggest piece of business from Chelsea in January could finalize Maresca’s last round of exits from the squad.
Vice-Captain Ben ChilwellWhile popular behind the scenes, he has only been given 45 minutes and undoubtedly needs to leave both for the good of his career and to ease the burden on Chelsea’s wage bill.
Carney Chukwuemeka Loans should be taken rather than sold, while offers may be entertained Caesar Cassaday Amidst rumors of interest from Serie A. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Marco Guieu And Christopher Nkunku Everyone has to decide if they are happy as squad players or if they want to move on elsewhere.
