Following an appeal by the club, Chelsea’s two-year transfer ban has been halved. This means Frank Lampard is now able to buy and sell players in the upcoming January transfer window.
Considering the testing circumstances, Lampard has done an excellent job since taking over from Maurizio Sarri. The former Blues player has put his trust in the club’s youngsters, and the like of Tammy Abraham, Mason Mount and Fikayo Tomori have repaid their manager’s faith.
However, ever since Russian billionaire, Roman Abramovich, took over the club in 2003, Chelsea have traditionally splashed the cash on the world’s top players.
The team may be performing well at the moment, but Lampard has hinted at the idea of strengthening his squad. So, let’s take a look at five players that could be on Chelsea’s radar in January.
Wilfried Zaha
The speedy winger handed in a transfer request during the previous transfer window, but Crystal Palace rejected bids from Everton and Arsenal. Zaha has seemingly settled at Selhurst Park for now, but he will surely be open to a move across the capital.
A transfer to Manchester United in 2013 didn’t work out for the Ivory Coast international. However, he has developed into one of the Premier League’s trickiest opponents in recent years, and he is now ready for his big break.
Ben Chilwell
The 22-year-old has firmly established himself as England’s first-choice left-back, and Chilwell is also proving his worth with some outstanding performances for high-flying Leicester City this season.
With Marcos Alonso, Emerson and Cesar Azpilicueta all spending time at left-back this season, it’s clear that Lampard is undecided on his preferred player in that position. Chilwell would surely be a perfect fit.
Jadon Sancho
It’s fair to say that Chelsea won’t be the only club interested in acquiring the services of Jadon Sancho. In fact, every top European club will have been monitoring the teenager’s progression at Borussia Dortmund.
The 19-year-old has set the Bundesliga alight since making the switch from Manchester City in 2017. But after proving himself in Germany, Sancho is reportedly keen on a move back to England. Chelsea certainly have the funds, and Sancho would be an ideal replacement for Eden Hazard.
Nathan Ake
Chelsea sold Ake to Bournemouth two and a half years ago, but the Dutchman has since matured into a top-class centre-back. He is quick, comfortable with the ball at his feet and he also reads the game very well.
The Cherries aren’t likely to make it into Europe any time soon, so the attraction of playing Champions League football could lure Ake back to Stamford Bridge. Given Ake’s development, Chelsea would have to pay in excess of £20m for the defender – the fee they sold him for in 2017.
Moussa Dembele
With Olivier Giroud and Michy Batshuayi failing to provide strong competition for Tammy Abraham, Moussa Dembele would be a great addition to the club’s attacking options.
The Frenchman has netted 10 goals in 16 Ligue 1 appearances for Lyon this season, and after being linked with a move to Manchester United last summer, it’s thought Dembele would be open to a move to the Premier League.