How Chelsea could line up if Todd Boehly completes dream January transfer window with a triple move
Graham Potter seeks to guarantee Champions League qualification for next season while preparing for the club’s long-term future in London, so Chelsea’s January transfer activity could be crucial to the club’s short- and long-term destiny.
The Blues have endured a tumultuous season thus far and are lower in the Premier League standings than they anticipated in August.
After a difficult stretch preceding the midseason break for the World Cup, Potter’s squad is currently in seventh place.
Since their last league victory on Sunday, October 16 at Villa Park, Chelsea have gone five games without a victory and are currently behind in the chase for the top four.
Along with Newcastle’s ascent and Arsenal’s unexpected title challenge, the second half of the season must produce superior outcomes to the first.
Now that Christmas has gone, the transfer window will open in a week, at which point official discussions over potential recruits will commence. In light of this, SportsDias examines three players frequently connected to Chelsea and how they could fit into Potter’s starting lineup.
Declan Rice
The value of the former Cobham academy player has risen year after year due to his performances for West Ham.
As in most transfer windows over the past few years, Chelsea has been heavily connected with a move for the English midfielder.
Rice appears to want to play in the Champions League, as he recently hinted at a future transfer amid contract uncertainty with West Ham.
During the World Cup, he commented, “Like you said I see my friends here who are playing Champions League football, winning the trophies,” he said during the World Cup. “You only get one career and at the end of your career you want to look back at what you’ve won and the biggest games you’ve played in.”
As Chelsea faces contract concerns with N’Golo Kante and Jorginho, evaluating a new midfielder will be a priority next month. The 23-year-old, who is valued at €80 million (£70 million) by the CIES Football Observatory, would be an ideal replacement for the pair.
Rice’s World Cup performances in Qatar have further fueled rumors of a potential transfer away from the London Stadium.
The holding midfielder served as an anchor in front of England’s defense four and did an excellent job of breaking up play. The agreement to bring Rice to west London is more likely than not.
Rafael Leao
Leao’s contract with AC Milan expires in 2024, and he has not yet committed his future to the club despite being one of Europe’s most productive strikers.
Nonetheless, as a result of his performance for Portugal in the World Cup, the 23-year- old’s list of admirers continues to grow.
As Todd Boehly and Potter are well aware, any excellent new player will face stiff competition, and the same holds true for Leao. According to reports from Italy, Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Liverpool are all in competition with Chelsea for the forward.
However, Milan is not actively seeking to sell Leao. They are eager to sign him to a new deal, but they may be forced to sell him in January for a whopping €80 million (£69 million).
This season, only five teams have scored fewer than Chelsea’s 17 goals. Leao has contributed to 16 goals in 20 appearances for AC Milan this season and will provide a new perspective to Potter’s frontline.
Josko Gvardiol
Josko Gvardiol, a defender for Red Bull Leipzig, is also closely connected with a January transfer. The central defender has been linked with a move from the Bundesliga to the Premier League, with Chelsea a potential suitor.
Manchester City and Real Madrid are also interested in the 20-year-old, but football.london has revealed that Chelsea have been monitoring the Croatian for some time.
The left-footed defender, regarded as one of the game’s best defensive talents, would fit wonderfully on the left side of Potter’s back three, allowing Marc Cucurella to play farther forward at wing-back.
As noted with Kante and Jorginho, Thiago Silva’s contract expires in June, so adding more bodies to Potter’s defense in January will be crucial.
Gvardiol may be enticed to join compatriot Mateo Kovacic at Stamford Bridge after displaying great quality and leadership skills during the World Cup.
How Chelsea could line up if Todd Boehly completes dream January transfer window with a triple move
