Chelsea's January transfer moves will be complex and situation-dependent, but nevertheless busy. Todd Boehly has plenty on his hands to bring Graham Potter the players that will propel the club not only through to the end of the season but also into the future.
Armando Broja's injury has left just two fit strikers, though Kai Havertz's best position is still unknown. Defensive fragility mixed with fitness and fatigue has left that area wide open heading into the winter window and the midfield is still missing a physical presence to add strength to the spine of the squad.
Not all of this can be dealt with in January but it promises to be a more active mid-season window than is common, especially coming off the back of the World Cup and with owners and a new manager still keen to push themselves upon the club. Chelsea sit eighth heading into the return of domestic action, but still have two thirds of the season to change things around.
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In terms of the long-term targets, Christopher Nkunku is expected to join at the end of the season after a pre-agreement was reached with the RB Leipzig man. His injury before the World Cup all but spelled the end of a move to Stamford Bridge earlier in 2023.
Rafael Leao is another prime man to watch. The 23-year-old is out of contract in 2024 with AC Milan and could see his club backed into a corner next summer meaning a January push isn't off the table. Elsewhere, Hakim Ziyech impressed with his record-breaking Morocco team and faces a possible exit given his enhanced stature and previous desire to leave.
Joining him as likely outgoers from the summer is Christian Pulisic. The American was also on good form in Qatar and returns with a dilemma. He hasn't seen a major increase in minutes under Potter and has potential suitors, but according to Gianluca Di Marzio, other forces could be at play with his future.
Speaking to Sky Sports, he said, “I don’t think he’s going to Bayern Munich, but that depends on Sadio Mané’s injury. If he turns out to be out for a long time, then Bayern can make an attempt for Pulisic or Marcus Thuram.
"Thuram is transfer-free in the coming summer, so he could leave for Munich. If they really decide at Bayern that they want to get a winger, then these are the two candidates. Although Chelsea do not want to let Pulisic go at all at the moment. If they find a replacement for him, that changes.”
With Broja's situation, the likeliness of enough attackers coming is makes Pulsic's departure even more abstract, but the desire to secure transfers early doesn't mean it can be ignored. Chelsea themselves have had an eye on Thuram for forward options, but Bayern appear to be in a better position at this stage, and Pulisic isn't a first-choice option.
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