The January transfer window is just over a week away from opening, allowing Chelsea the chance to strengthen their first team squad mid-season.
January 2025 saw Chelsea make just one permanent signing in the form of Mathis Amougou. He has already left the club to join Strasbourg on a full-time deal.
Traditionally, business is far harder to do in the winter, due to sides not being willing to part ways with their players halfway through the season.
The position that Chelsea MUST strengthen in 2026 is _ _ _ _ _ _
Chelsea owner Behdad Eghbali and directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart at Wolves game
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However, an ongoing rift between Enzo Maresca and some chiefs at the club could see their hand forced when it comes to appeasing the manager with a new addition to the squad.
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Chelsea tipped for January signing by financial expert
Chelsea sold more than any other club in the last summer transfer window, and although financial expert Kieran Maguire has tipped them to be in the market in January, he has warned that they will need to sell again in order to stay in UEFA’s good books following recent sanctions.
He told the Beyond the Back Four podcast: “I think they will be in the market in January, but they have to be very careful, because they are under a series of sanctions from UEFA. On a cash basis, they have to have a zero net spend. They just about managed that in the summer, so if they are going to bring anyone in they will need to sell.
“The other big issue with Chelsea is if you take a look at the strategy of the owners, they are trying to run Chelsea as a hedge fund, find undervalued assets to make them more valuable before selling them on for higher prices. That’s why they don’t have any senior pros, and that is coming back to haunt them.
“When they’re in a crisis on pitch, you’ve got 11 people looking around for a leader. That’s proving to be negative for Chelsea.”
Jeremy Jacquet playing for Rennes
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Chelsea linked with January signings
A new centre-back was at the top of Maresca’s list of priorities over the summer after Levi Colwill’s ACL injury ruled him out of the majority of the season.
Chelsea need to make room before they can sign another centre-back. Who are you getting rid of?
Levi Colwill is definitely untouchable ❌
Chelsea’s list of first-team centre-backs
Levi Colwill
Wesley Fofana
Trevoh Chalobah
Benoit Badiashile
Tosin Adarabioyo
Josh Acheampong
Trevoh Chalobah of Chelsea celebrates scoring his team's goal with teammate Wesley Fofana
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Instead, the Blues sold Renato Veiga after the boss’ public comments, although they have now been linked to the signing of a new defender.
Chelsea have stepped up their interest in Jeremy Jacquet, who has already drawn comparisons to William Saliba in the early stages of his career.
Their previous interest in Marc Guehi cannot be discounted either, especially due to the fact that his contract expires at the end of the season.
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