What a difference 12 months can make.
Chelsea have re-established themselves as a genuine English football powerhouse under new manager Enzo Maresca, who remain without talk of a title challenge despite heading into Christmas second in the Premier League table.
The new boss has repeatedly insisted that this young Chelsea squad is not yet ready for such a high-pressure environment, although it’s up to you whether you really believe him.
However, there are still some potential holes in Maresca’s squad, and the January transfer window offers an opportunity to strengthen and push forward for the rest of the campaign.
Let’s take a look at Chelsea’s January 2025 transfer wishlist.
In Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo, Chelsea have two of the most in-form midfielders in world football. Behind them, Romeo Lavia is also doing a great job. However, the depth beyond that has left a bit to be desired.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall arrived in the summer for £30m but has operated mainly as an emergency back-up, playing most of his minutes in the League Conference and rarely making the matchday squad for Premier League matches. An exit, either in January or in the summer, seems likely.
Putting so much faith in three midfielders as we approach a busy schedule and Conference League rivals who may require more than reserves would be a huge risk for Maresca, who may want to dip into the transfer market to find cover more reliable
Key objectives
It’s hard to tell where Chelsea are going here. The Blues are highly unlikely to spend a significant amount of money given the presence of Caicedo and Fernández ahead of them, while they may look to maintain their focus on youth rather than experience.
sports CP Dario Essugo has emerged as a possible target, while reports have also suggested a move from Chelsea to AC Milan Youssouf Fofana or Atlético de Madrid Pablo Barrios.
Chelsea could look to bring back a loan player. Andrey Santos is shining for Strasbourg and should perhaps get a chance to see out the season in France, while Lesley Ugochukwu will almost certainly see his Southampton loan terminated unless new Saints manager Ivan Juric commits to increase your minutes.
Chelsea definitely shouldn’t be in need of 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 result in 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 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 team, but whether the 18-year-old is ready to be Sancho’s immediate replacement is another matter.
Key objectives
The fans have already started to dream about Athletic Club Nico Williamsand reports have also dumped Bayern Munich’s Leroy Sane into the mix as he nears the end of his contract in Bavaria.
Chelsea are actually highly unlikely to spend big here, especially while they await the final outcome of the Mudryk case, but a loan move could make sense.
Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford he could be available but could only move to Chelsea if the Blues make Sancho’s loan permanent in January as clubs are not allowed to have more than one loanee from the same team. It is unclear whether Chelsea would be interested in securing what would be an expensive deal.
Reports of interest in Borussia Dortmund Karim Adeyemi refuse to budge and it could make sense if Dortmund, as some have claimed, are looking to sell to raise money.
Perhaps Chelsea’s most important business in January could be finalizing the latest round of departures from Maresca’s squad.
vice captain Ben Chilwellalthough popular behind the scenes, he has delivered just 45 minutes and certainly needs to leave, both for the sake of his career and to ease Chelsea’s wage burden.
Carney Chukwuemeka should be lent, rather than sold, while offers could be entertained Cesare Casadei amid rumors of interest from Serie A. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Marco Guiu i Christopher Nkunku they all have to decide if they are happy as squad players or if they would like to make moves elsewhere.
