Chelsea have been linked with some massive buys this January.placeholder image
Chelsea have been linked with some massive buys this January. | Getty Images
How Chelsea’s starting XI could look for the remainder of this season if transfer rumours prove true
Chelsea have a top four finish in their sights this season and will hope that new head coach Liam Rosenior can inspire a strong second half of the campaign, as the Blues aim to reach their goals in the league and cup competitions this term.
The west London side won their first Premier League match under the former Strasbourg boss on Saturday as in-form local neighbours Brentford were beaten 2-0 at Stamford Bridge, while the Blues continue to be linked with a whole host of high-profile players as the January transfer window rages on.
Chelsea brought in 10 new players over the summer but having sold 15 in the same window, the Blues somehow ended up with a positive net spend and, therefore, still have money to spend in the January transfer window.
We had a look at how Rosenior’s brand-new starting XI could shape up if Chelsea’s latest transfer rumours this month are to be believed.
How Chelsea’s new line-up could look if transfer rumours are believed
Goalkeeper: Mile Svilar
Defence: Reece James, Trevoh Chalobah, Jeremy Jacquet, Marc Cucurella
Chelsea have been linked with a new goalkeeper on multiple occasions in recent seasons, as doubts persist over Robert Sanchez despite improvements in performance by the Spaniard at times this term.
One such name who has seen frequent Stamford Bridge links is Mike Maignan, with the Frenchman into the final six months of his contract at AC Milan. Though reports suggest that the 30-year-old is set to agree a new deal at the San Siro, the Blues are primed to pounce if negotiations fall through. Should that fail, Chelsea have been linked with a £60m move for Roma shot-stopper Mile Svilar according to Caught Offside.
In defence, the Blues are believed to be closing in on a new signing in the shape of 20-year-old Rennes star Jeremy Jacquet, who is believed to have agreed personal terms ahead of a £55million move to snub rival suitors Arsenal and Bayern Munich. The young Frenchman would slot right into Rosenior’s back four and could be a linchpin of the Blues’ backline for years to come.
Chelsea could make earth-shattering move for Real Madrid superstar
Midfield: Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez, Cole Palmer
Attack: Estevao, Vinicius Jr, Joao Pedro
Chelsea are one of several leading Premier League clubs who have been linked with big-money moves for midfielders Elliot Anderson and Adam Wharton, though any transfer for the pair is thought to be more likely to take place next summer. The Blues already boast a £200m-plus pair in the centre of the park, in the shape of Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez, with Cole Palmer back to fitness to start in attacking midfield.
In what would undoubtedly be the biggest move of the winter window and rival the most shocking transfers of recent years, the Blues have been linked with a record-breaking £130m move for Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Jr. The Brazilian was unsettled under previous Real boss Xabi Alonso and reports broke via Fichajes earlier this month that Chelsea were at the front of the queue if the winger decides to move on from the Bernabeu in 2026.
While these rumours are to be taken with a pinch of salt as unlikely at present, it would not be put past Chelsea to launch a British-record bid for 25-year-old Vinicius, who was booed by his own fans following Los Blancos’ victory over Levante on Saturday, to test the waters over a potentially ground-breaking transfer for the Premier League as a whole.
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