Before the festive period, no one would have predicted Chelsea's title challenge to falter as it did.
Enzo Maresca's squad seemed to be Liverpool's main rivals for the title heading into their Boxing Day fixture against Fulham at home. However, after a 2-1 defeat to the Cottagers, the Blues have only managed three wins in their last nine Premier League games and were ousted from the FA Cup by Brighton and Hove Albion.
Despite boasting the priciest squad in Europe, there are still uncertainties across several positions on the pitch. Chelsea have splashed the cash multiple times, including breaking the Premier League transfer record to bring in Enzo Fernandez in 2023, and then again to secure Moises Caicedo from Brighton.
Yet, there are numerous seasoned and talented players who will be available on a free transfer at the end of the season. Football London has identified five stars the Blues could snap up without a fee in the summer.
David De Gea
David De Gea of Fiorentina looks on during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Fiorentina at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on February 10, 2025 in Milan, Italy
David De Gea has been an excellent player for Fiorentina (Image: Getty Images)
Chelsea find themselves at a goalkeeping impasse. Neither Robert Sanchez nor summer recruit Filip Jorgensen have been convincing, and the club's hierarchy also believes young keepers Djordje Petrovic and Mike Penders - currently on loan at Strasbourg and Genk respectively - could be long-term options between the posts.
For immediate and experienced solutions, few are better than Manchester United stalwart David De Gea. Both Jorgensen and Sanchez have been guilty of making costly individual mistakes that have hurt the west London side.
De Gea's contract is set to expire at the end of this season, and with the 2026 World Cup looming, a standout year for the West London side could potentially earn him an unexpected recall to Spain's squad for the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Everton's English striker #09 Dominic Calvert-Lewin celebrates creating their third goal, an own-goal from Tottenham Hotspur's English midfielder #14 Archie Gray during the English Premier League football match between Everton and Tottenham Hotspur at Goodison Park in Liverpool, north west England on January 19, 2025. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Dominic Calvert-Lewin will be a free transfer at the end of the campaign (Image: PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Nicolas Jackson has made significant strides this season, but as the only centre-forward at Stamford Bridge, the Senegalese star occasionally suffers from a lack of confidence. Chelsea are looking for strikers who can hold up play, spin behind defences and link up with players like Cole Palmer and Noni Madueke.
Calvert-Lewin, at 27, is in his prime and possesses all the qualities Chelsea are seeking in a forward. He might relish the opportunity to play in a team that dominates possession and provides him with regular service and support.
His impressive form under Carlo Ancelotti in the 2020-21 season, when he netted 16 Premier League goals, may have slipped some people's minds. His injury history might make clubs hesitant about a potential move, but with Jackson also in the squad, Calvert-Lewin wouldn't be required to play every match.
Joshua Kimmich
MUNICH, GERMANY - MARCH 05: Joshua Kimmich of FC Bayern Muenchen reacts after the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Round of 16 first leg match between FC Bayern München and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at on March 05, 2025 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Christina Pahnke - sampics/Getty Images)
Kimmich has been front and centre of Bayern's huge success over the last decade (Image: Christina Pahnke - sampics/Getty Images)
Joshua Kimmich could be the answer to Chelsea's lack of experience, limited midfield options and vulnerability at full-back. Few players in world football can match the Champions League winner and eight-time Bundesliga champion.
The German has been a world-class player for many years, whether as a right-back or a central midfielder. With Maresca recently claiming that he considers captain Reece James to be a better central-midfield option, Kimmich would be the perfect, experienced head to slot in at right-back or even play alongside the Blues' academy star. He also brings the same winning mentality and leadership skills Chelsea lost when Thiago Silva left the club at the end of last season.
Tyrick Mitchell
Tyrick Mitchell of Crystal Palace during the Carabao Cup Quarter Final match between Arsenal and Crystal Palace at Emirates Stadium on December 18, 2024 in London, England
Arsenal are also said to be interested in Tyrick Mitchell (Image: Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Maresca's ruthless decision to banish Ben Chilwell from the squad has left the Blues with only Marc Cucurella at left-back. With Chilwell sureley moving on at the end of the season to breathe new life into his career, Maresca will surely need another option on the left-hand side.
The left-back moved to Crystal Palace, where he is being kept out of the starting eleven by Tyrick Mitchell. The 25-year-old has been a solid, reliable and consistent option at left-back for the Eagles.
He is calm on the ball, can run box-to-box for 90 minutes, is defensively strong and also pops up with the occasional assist. At 25, he is also somewhat of a long-term solution at left-back.
Angel Gomes
Angel Gomes of Lille looks on during the UEFA Champions League Third Qualifying Round match between Fenerbahce and Lille FC at Ulker Stadium on August 13, 2024 in Istanbul, Turkey
Former Manchester United star Angel Gomes has been linked with a return to the Premier League (Image: Photo by Ahmad Mora/Getty Images)
Since Boxing Day, Chelsea have dropped 13 points from winning positions, often shooting themselves in the foot. Their major weakness this year has been their inability to control matches, particularly when the opposition has made some substitutions or tactical tweaks.
Angel Gomes offers control, calmness, and a killer pass in the centre of midfield. Maresca has over £250m worth of central midfielders in Fernandez, Caicedo and Romeo Lavia at his disposal. However, Lavia is known to be injury-prone, and Fernandez and Caicedo are not renowned for their game-controlling abilities from the centre of the pitch.
Gomes could provide additional balance and crucial depth to a Blues team that has often lost the midfield battle. Currently, it appears he will depart Lille at the end of the season, making him one of the most coveted free agents globally next summer.
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Chelsea flag prior the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Leg One match between Chelsea FC and Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge. (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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