As we prepare to enter the new year, we must brace ourselves for the barrage of Chelsea transfer rumours that are about to take off around Stamford Bridge.
The disappointment of Tuesday evening is still raw, but those making the decisions at Chelsea will be the first to put it in the rear-view mirror with the transfer window opening in less than 24 hours.
The Chelsea board say they are happy with the squad, and their recruitment efforts will focus more on young talent than starter-level acquisitions.
Whether you agree with that approach is another question, but it’s the one they have landed on. With that in mind, links to a young German defender make sense.
Chelsea eyeing 19-year-old Almugera Kabar 👀
Smart move, or just more inexperience to deal with?
Almugera Kabar playing for Borussia Dortmund
Photo by Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images
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Chelsea in race for Borussia Dortmund left-back Almugera Kabar
The Blues have identified 19-year-old left-back Almugera Kabar as a target for the upcoming January window.
Kabar is a World Cup winner with the German U17 team and was starting to make inroads into the Dortmund side making five league appearances in the second half of last season.
Manager Niko Kovac hasn’t called upon him to play for the seniors this season, and that is driving him to consider a move away.
Almugera Kabar and Jamie Gittens for Borussia Dortmund
Photo by Hesham Elsherif/Anadolu via Getty Images
Chelsea are one of the teams monitoring the situation, along with Hamburger SV and Brentford.
As BILD report: “The club [HSV] also wants to offer him a future. All of this would have to be considered in the case of Kabar, who is one of several candidates. One thing is certain: despite strong competition from England (Brentford, Chelsea), the Hamburg-based team is said to have a real chance.”
The report does not delve into the details of Chelsea’s interest, but it should come as no surprise. He is the ideal BlueCo profile and a potential lifeline for Enzo Maresca.
Marc Cucurella needs cover at left-back
Marc Cucurella missed his first league game of 2025 on the very last try.
It would have been the Spaniard’s 70th game of the year in all competitions, and there is growing concern that he is at risk of being overworked.
Marc Cucurella’s fitness in doubt 👀
Do Chelsea need another left-back in January?
Marc Cucurella playing for Chelsea
Photo by Jan Kruger – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
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Summer arrival Jorrel Hato — another 19-year-old — has failed to secure his place as second-choice left-back to this point, and Chelsea need to address that.
The only issue is that another teenager is no more of a certainty to challenge Cucurella for regular first-team minutes.
If the Blues can pip Hamburg and Brentford to his signature, Kabar could be a smart buy. Equally, he could be just another young talent in need of development before landing a significant role at Stamford Bridge.
One to watch in the coming days.
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