A near-£200m spend this month has bloated Graham Potter’s squad but seemingly failed to address Chelsea’s two problem positions.
It is an indication that the most treasured ornaments are often out of reach from preying hands, but that can all change while the transfer window remains open.
Chelsea’s desire for a central midfielder therefore means their search for N’Golo Kante’s successor will likely continue until deadline day on 31 January.
Like Jorginho, Kante is out of contract in the summer, meaning both can now sign a pre-contract agreement with clubs from abroad, while the latter’s injury absence since August has unsurprisingly impacted a side so used to his tireless, seeing-double performances.
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The hope appears to be that one of Enzo Fernandez or Moises Caicedo can come in as the ideal replacement, but so far Benfica and Brighton are not playing ball.
Fernandez, who won the World Cup with Argentina last month, is said to have a £106m release clause in his contract, but Benfica are unwilling to sell for less and Chelsea are reluctant to pay what would be a club-record amount.
Chelsea’s desperation has however seen them renew their interest in Fernandez, the Guardian reports, particularly as Arsenal have emerged as competition for West Ham’s Declan Rice this summer, along with Manchester United.
What price Benfica may agree on is unclear though, and so Chelsea are also reportedly exploring the possibility of another bid for Caicedo after Brighton rejected their £55m offer last week.
Chelsea’s January transfers
- Benoit Badiashile (centre-back) – Monaco, £35m
- Joao Felix (forward) – Atletico Madrid, £9.7m loan
- David Datro Fofana (forward) – Molde, £8m
- Noni Madueke (winger) – PSV, £29m
- Mykhailo Mudryk (winger) – Shakhtar Donetsk, £88.5m
- Andrey Santos (midfielder) – Vasco da Gama, £18m
Unsurprisingly, Brighton appear to have grown weary of Chelsea poaching their best players and coaching staff, with Potter having taken his backroom team to Stamford Bridge after Marc Cucurella’s move in the summer.
As a result, Brighton’s in-house interview with Caicedo on Tuesday was no coincidence, with the club addressing “media speculation” as the player declared he is “focused on Brighton”.
“I am here, I’m playing every day,” he added. “Things from outside don’t trouble me, nor does it take that focus away because I’m focussed only on here.
“I handle [the speculation] well. You hear rumours here and there, but I only try to be focused on the club where I am now, the club which opened the doors for me to be playing every week.”
Moises is only focussed on Albion.
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) January 24, 2023
This hard-line stance from Brighton puts the ball back in Chelsea’s court and leaves co-owner Todd Boehly with just days to consider what fee is worth paying for either Caicedo or Fernandez.
Evidently seeking long-term fixes, Chelsea have at least bought one for the future in Vasco da Gama midfielder Andrey Santos, the 18-year-old who has represented Brazil’s U20s.
The same could be said for their other area of concern, up front, with 20-year-old David Datro Fofana signing from Molde this month and making his debut in the FA Cup defeat to Manchester City.
Chelsea’s shortfall in front of goal is their most pressing issue and a reason why they are stuck firmly in mid-table. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is misfiring and being linked with a move back to Barcelona, while Kai Havertz is more a false nine than a true No 9.
This is reflected by the club’s goal difference of just one in the Premier League after 20 games. Currently 10th in the table, 22 goals means they have been outscored by every team above them and also Aston Villa, Leicester and Leeds below them.
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Consistent strikers are at a premium, however, and Chelsea may struggle to solve this problem in January alone. Everton’s Anthony Gordon remains a possible target, but three goals in 18 appearances this season for a player also admired by Newcastle is a return that will hardly excite Chelsea fans.
The prospect of Christopher Nkunku joining in the summer from RB Leipzig, reported to be a done deal in some quarters, is far more promising given his tally of 17 goals in 23 games this season, and that move coupled with the loan for Felix indicates that this is one area where Chelsea will wait to strengthen. They just need Felix to avoid further suspensions.
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