Chelsea could do with some reinforcements in January, yet they could be in for a very quiet month.
It is thought that Chelsea believe in the current squad and think it is good enough to secure a top-four finish this season.
If that is to happen, they have some work to do. Enzo Maresca’s men sit outside of the Champions League places at this moment in time.
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While Chelsea may not be active next month, it could be a very different story for their sister club Strasbourg.
James McAtee looks on during Newcastle United v Nottingham Forest - Premier League
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James McAtee could join Strasbourg on loan
There have been rumours linking Nottingham Forest’s James McAtee to Chelsea, but a move seems very unlikely.
According to BBC Sport journalist Nizaar Kinsella, who shared an update on McAtee’s situation on X, it is actually Strasbourg who are interested in signing the attacking midfielder.
Any deal would be a loan, Kinsella has claimed. It is something that McAtee needs after making just one start in the Premier League this season.
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Forest only signed McAtee from Manchester City in August, but after a lack of game time at the City Ground, it would not be a surprise if he departed the club next month.
Strasbourg are currently outside of the European places in Ligue 1, so Liam Rosenior would probably welcome the arrival of McAtee and other reinforcements.
Liam Rosenior, Manager of Strasbourg, applauds the fans
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Chelsea don’t need James McAtee
The only logic behind the McAtee and Chelsea links is the Joe Shields connection.
Shields used to work at City, and since arriving at Chelsea, he has brought the likes of Cole Palmer, Romeo Lavia and Liam Delap to the club, players who have all been in City’s academy like McAtee.
There is no need for Chelsea to sign McAtee, though, who would not be an upgrade on anything that they already have.
At some point, the Blues may need to buy another No.10 to ease the load on Palmer. But that No.10 should be a proven and established player like Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers.
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