Chelsea are weighing up their transfer options this January in a bid to not only strengthen Graham Potter's current options but also to ensure long-term progress. So far the club's large-scale investment is yet to pay off with big-money moves falling flat but it's the wider youth recruitment which is promising.
Potter turned to teenagers seven times across two matches against Manchester City with Lewis Hall, Omari Hutchinson, Carney Chukwuemeka and Bashir Humphreys all offered their chance to impress. On the whole, they have been some of the more outstanding players in what was a dismal week.
As Todd Boehly and Co now look to find answers to the poor form and continue their transfer strategy the Blues may well be looking for a specific type of incoming. First-team quality is needed with the decline of senior players but signing players outside of their targetted age range could cause issues.
READ MORE: Pep Guardiola stunned by Chelsea star as Todd Boehly handed new £26.5m transfer conundrum
This is perhaps why Joao Felix is seen as a good option. Outside of having the chance to look at one of the most promising young players in Europe with no long-term commitment, Felix can be a stop-gap until the summer. Unlike Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who signed a two-year deal aged 33 in the summer, a loan for Felix would be on a six-month contract.
The issue for him is the reported fees over that period. With Atletico Madrid demanding a high price for his services as well as full wage payment it could come up to £18m for a temporary period, plus, the Spanish side want a decent return on their £111m investment made in 2019 if there is to be an option to buy at the end.
With a deteriorating relationship with Diego Simeone the 23-year-old is looking for a new challenge and a way to demonstrate his skills at the top level once more and Atlético Madrid president Cerezo has given an update on that future, saying, “João Félix future? I always say the players play where in the club they want. I don't know where João wants to play. I think he's now feeling so good here at Atléti. It depends on João and on the situation."
If Chelsea aren't to take advantage of this opportunistic piece of business then they could also turn to Marcus Thuram. The Borussia Monchengladbach forward is out of contract in the summer and is available to negotiate a pre-contract for the summer. However, Chelsea are looking to mix their short-term and long-term ambitions and could be persuaded to purchase the 25-year-old.
CBS reporter Ben Jacobs writes that it could cost them as little as £8.5m but the decision will rest with the player due to plenty of interest in his services. The Blues lost Armando Broja to injury for the rest of the season and do need reinforcement up front but they don't want to go down the familiar path of too many short-term options.
Like Felix, Thuram offers a blend of both short-term and long-term thinking but may rely on Aubameyang's future being away from Stamford Bridge after he was substituted off having been brought on in the first half on Thursday. He then missed the FA Cup tie due to injury, further posing questions about his suitability and future at the club.
READ NEXT:
Why Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang missed Man City vs Chelsea amid Sterling and Pulisic injury blows
Every word Graham Potter said on Tuchel chants, Chelsea form, Pulisic, Sterling, Aubameyang
Manchester City vs Chelsea highlights: Mahrez, Foden and Alvarez put Blues to sword
Pep Guardiola tells Todd Boehly what Chelsea must do with Graham Potter after heavy defeat
Chelsea fans make feelings clear vs Man City with Thomas Tuchel and Roman Abramovich chants
