Two ways Chelsea could line up after January’s transfer window | OneFootball

Heading into the January transfer window, Chelsea sit fourth in the Premier League, just one point ahead of 5th place Newcastle after a torrid few weeks has seen them pick up up just two points from their last 12.

This month could be the perfect time for the Blues to strengthen in certain positions, in order to cement their spot in the top four.

How Chelsea could line up after a ‘dream’ January transfer window:

In an ideal world, Chelsea would look to strengthen in three positions in particular. Bringing in a box dominant centre-forward to challenge Nicolas Jackson, a new goalkeeper, who can provide more stability for the Blues defence and a new central defender in the wake of the Wesley Fofana injury news.

Starting from the back, replacing Robert Sanchez has been a hot topic among the Chelsea fan base, with big worries surrounding his errors leading to chances for the opposition team. We have already seen several times this season Sanchez making errors which led to big chances/goals conceded, and with Enzo Maresca insistent on playing out from the back, these mistakes don’t look like they will disappear anytime soon.

With that being said, a change between the sticks could of course negate this, and a top level goalkeeper who has attracted interest from some of the biggest clubs in Europe over the past few years is Porto’s Diogo Costa.

The 25-year-old Portugal international is averaging a 82.79% passing accuracy this season in comparison to Sanchez, who is averaging a 69.47% passing accuracy. The Porto shot-stopper is also completing more long passes (5.19 per 90) in fewer attempts (10.63 attempted per 90) in comparison to Sanchez, who is completing 3.5 in 13.28 attempted. This added precision in passing would not only help Chelsea when circulating possession around the back, but also help them to play over the opposition press with more accurate long passing.

Next up, another central defender would be acquired in the absence of Wesley Fofana. Maresca could potentially looking for someone to come in and offer similar physical attributes to the Frenchman, with recovery pace and the ability to defend on the front foot. One man that fits the bill is another player currently playing in Portugal: Sporting’s Ousmane Diomande.

The 21-year-old defender is averaging 3.09 aerial duels won per 90 this season, making 1.22 tackles per 90 and most importantly, is making 3.16 recoveries per 90 in the middle third of the pitch for his side. This is important is due to the role he would take up at Chelsea, defending on the front foot, following players into midfield zones, looking to be an aggressor out of possession.

Fofana had struck up a good partnership in defence with Levi Colwill, the Frenchman being the more aggressive of the two, looking to engage and win duels, while Colwill played more of a sweeper role to allow Fofana to do what he does best. Diomande has shown he has similar traits, and could fulfil this role alongside Colwill to form a similar dynamic, which has been evidently missing since the Frenchman’s injury.

Lastly, to address the top end of the pitch, Chelsea could use another striker alongside Jackson, who offers a different skillset to the Senegal international. The 23-year-old has started the campaign extremely well, scoring nine goals and providing three assists in 19 Premier League appearances so far. However, when playing against “low block” opposition such as Everton and Ipswich, the Blues have struggled to find the opening goal, leading to dropped points.

An alternative profile who offers box threat and can use their physical attributes to create opportunities via crosses and hold up play inside the penalty area is what Chelsea are missing, and Jhon Duran from Aston Villa could provide exactly that.

The 21-year-old forward is averaging 0.73 xG per 90 (only behind Haaland) among strikers who have played 500+ Premier League minutes this season. Duran is also winning 2.74 aerial duels per 90, far more than Jackson’s 0.62 per 90. The Colombian has scored seven Premier League goals in just 592 minutes, compared to Jackson who has nine in 1,485 minutes, which also shows his efficiency in front of goal, not only carving out big chances, but also putting them away on a regular basis.

All three of these transfers would significantly improve Chelsea’s squad in areas that need addressing, but given its January, and the fees these deals would likely cost to get them over the line, Maresca may have to settle for a slightly different window.

Who are the more realistic January signings for Chelsea?

Of the positions mentioned above, it feels Robert Sanchez has the backing of Enzo Maresca to the point Chelsea will not go after a new goalkeeper in this window. They also signed Filip Jorgensen in the summer, who could get a chance if things turn too sour for Sanchez.

This leaves the centre-back and striker position as the two areas Chelsea could look to strengthen this month, but with some slightly cheaper and more attainable choices. Before mentioning the two realistic targets Chelsea could obtain, it is important to recognise there are also internal solutions for the Blues, especially in central defence.

A few internal solutions for that central defence position, include Aaron Anselmino (who has recently been recalled from his loan with Boca Juniors), Josh Acheampong, who received his first Premier League start alongside Colwill against Crystal Palace and Trevoh Chalobah, who could also be recalled from his loan at Crystal Palace in order to provide Maresca with another right centre-back option.

However, one name that has been coming up as an attainable target is Abdukodir Khusanov from RC Lens, who is valued at around £25 million according to reports. Manchester City are also said to be interested in the 20-year-old, who has shown he has a top set of traits that would serve him well playing in a top side.

Like Fofana and Diomande, Khusanov has strong physical attributes, including his recovery speed and ability to win duels both on the ground and in the air. His skill set allows him to play on the front foot, averaging 2.4 interceptions per 90 (the most of any central defender in Ligue 1 with 10+ appearances). The Uzbekistan international has also averaged 2.58 aerial duels won and 1.75 possessions won in the middle third, highlighting the attributes Chelsea would be looking for to replicate Fofana’s partnership with Colwill.

Last but not least, we have the striker position. Chelsea have been heavily linked with Ipswich forward Liam Delap in recent months, with various outlets reporting the Blues strong interest in the English centre-forward.

Delap has managed to score eight goals in 19 Premier League games so far this season, leading the line for Ipswich in his first top flight campaign. Standing at 6ft 1, the 21-year-old striker has shown he has that physical level needed to bully defenders, using his body to protect the ball, initiate contact in the box, and craft chances for himself with clever micro movements. Despite only generating 0.38 xG per 90 (lower than Jackson’s 0.59) Delap is still scoring 0.49 goals per 90, overachieving his xG, showing his levels of clinical finishing.

Having already played in the Manchester City academy with the likes of Cole Palmer and with Maresca knowing him well having worked with him at City too, Delap could be an attainable option for Chelsea in January. Offering a different profile to Jackson, he could bring a much needed box threat in order to help the Blues when playing against low block opposition.