Chelsea have a big issue to solve once the January transfer window opens
Chelsea’s 2026 summer transfer window was largely a success. The club addressed their longstanding issue of lacking experience in the squad by signing the likes of Maxence Lacroix and Danny Welbeck, finally sorted out their glaring goalkeeping problem, and managed to move on a host of flops with the likes of Liam Delap and Nicolas Jackson departing for healthy fees.
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That said, the Blues’ window wasn’t quite a 10/10, with their late-window blundering leaving them with a serious problem. After months of agitating for a move, Enzo Fernandez finally left to join Manchester City on Deadline Day. Chelsea left finding a replacement far too late, and saw a last gasp raid for Monaco’s Lamine Camara dramatically collapse.
With the World Cup runner-up gone and no successor recruited, Chelsea have found themselves in a bit of a pickle. An injury to star midfielder Moises Caicedo has compounded this issue, leaving manager Xabi Alonso with no choice but to rely on the notoriously fragile Romeo Lavia, who has often been partnered with natural right-backs such as Reece James and Malo Gusto.
If the Blues want to qualify for the Champions League this season, they need to address the problem in January. After all, a robust midfield goes a long way to ensuring a solid defence, and Chelsea’s back line has been thoroughly ragged so far this season, conceding 12 goals in six games across all competitions - only keeping a clean sheet against League One’s Luton Town.
With just over 100 days to go until the January transfer window opens, the decision makers at Chelsea will already be drawing up plans to remedy their big problem. We’ve taken a look at six realistic targets the Blues might attempt to sign once player trading resumes in the new year.
The top class midfielders Chelsea could sign in January
Atletico Madrid's Pablo Barrios has been lighting up La Liga over the past four seasonsplaceholder image
Atletico Madrid's Pablo Barrios has been lighting up La Liga over the past four seasons | AFP via Getty Images
Adam Wharton - Crystal Palace: The glory days at Crystal Palace look to be very much over following Oliver Glasner’s exit to Nottingham Forest. Wharton has been linked with a move to Chelsea for some time, and is expected to leave the south London side in 2027. He’s been valued at around £75m, but rival interest from Liverpool could make things tricky.
Manu Kone - Roma: Chelsea were believed to have initially moved for Kone before switching focus to Camara on Deadline Day, but failed to get their man after his manager, Gian Piero Gasperini, was said to have instructed the club to block the deal. Come January, the Blues could well move again for Kone, but Liverpool could make things tricky on this front too.
Pablo Barrios - Atletico Madrid: The dust had barely settled on Deadline Day when a host of Premier League clubs were linked with the Spain international. He was previously thought to be a key target for Arsenal, who eventually opted to sign Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle instead. Barrios, like Fernandez, is a technically gifted midfield, but offers more when it comes to defensive nous. However, it’s worth noting that he’s seriously injury prone.
Will Chelsea sign Alex Scott in January?
Chelsea saw two bids for Bournemouth's Alex Scott rejected over the summerplaceholder image
Chelsea saw two bids for Bournemouth's Alex Scott rejected over the summer | Getty Images
Alex Scott - Bournemouth: The Blues were desperate to get hold of Scott over the summer, and saw two bids knocked back. It became clear that the Cherries simply wouldn’t sell, but Chelsea will be hopeful that they soften their stance in January. They did just that with Antoine Semenyo at the same time last year, and a suitably hefty offer could do the trick once again.
Fabian Ruiz - PSG: Alonso could look to sign a fellow countryman in Ruiz, with the World Cup winner believed to have emerged near the top of his wish list. The 30-year-old has bags of trophy winning experience, and will move into the final year of his contract in 2027. He could be exactly what Chelsea need to get some control in the midfield.
Lamine Camara: After that complete farce on Deadline Day, Chelsea may well avoid doing business with Monaco for some time. You’d have thought they’d have learned their lesson when they were talked into spending a combined £69m to sign blundering duo Axel Disasi and Benoit Badiashile from them in 2023. If the two clubs can patch things up, then the Blues may well swallow their pride and go back in for Camara.
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