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Liam Rosenior | Getty Images
Chelsea have the opportunity to sign some players over the coming weeks with the January window open for business
Chelsea’s new boss Liam Rosenior will be looking to put his own stamp on his newly inherited squad with some reinforcements. The former Derby County and Hull City head coach is back in England following his spell in France at Strasbourg. He was picked as Enzo Maresca’s replacement at Stamford Bridge.
Rosenior’s side won 5-1 away at Charlton Athletic over the weekend in the third round of the FA Cup. Jorrel Hato, Tosin Adarabioyo, Marc Guiu, Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez got their goals against the Addicks at The Valley. Meanwhile, Miles Leaburn scored for the hosts.
Chelsea linked with Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde
According to Spanish news outlet Fichajes, Chelsea will ‘offer’ £104million for Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde. They are being linked with an ambitious swoop for the La Liga ace this winter. They have until the deadline on Monday 2nd February to complete any final bits of incoming or outgoing business.
Valverde, 27, is under contract in La Liga until June 2027. Therefore, his long-term future in Spain is up in the air right now. His current club risk losing him for free next year as things stand and they need to consider his situation.
The Uruguay international, who has 71 caps to his name, was snapped up by Real Madrid back in 2016. Prior to his move, he rose up through the academy at Penarol in his native country and broke into their first-team as a teenager. He has since become a key player at the Santiago Bernabeu and has been a great servant.
Valverde has made 349 appearances in all competitions to date, 25 of which have come this season, and he has scored 33 goals. He has won everything and may fancy a change of scene in the near future. Chelsea have been mentioned as a potential next destination and time will tell whether they will be able to get him.
What now for Chelsea under Liam Rosenior?
Chelsea could see Valverde as someone to boost their midfield department. If he joined, he would inject more quality into their squad. In addition, he would battle it out with Fernandez and Moises Caicedo for a place in their team.
The Blues have taken a gamble by bringing in Rosenior. He is inexperienced and will feel he has a point to prove. The ex-defender worked well with young players at both Hull and Strasbourg and has a lot of potential to improve down the line.
After taking the Chelsea job, he said: “I think the biggest challenge in any club, in any team, is making sure you create the right culture, you create the right spirit, you have the right values. The reality at this football club, the talent levels that I've seen in the last two days of training, the ability of the players is world-class. I've got a fantastic group to work with, which I'm very excited about.
Winning teams are consistent when they have a good spirit, when they have a good energy, when they fight for each other, when they put pride in the shirt. I think that's my job now.”
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