Grading Chelsea’s January transfer window: Much ado about nothing
The January transfer window closes in under two weeks and Chelsea have only moved to recall a player they already own. The Blues’ lethargy is becoming disconcerting.
Chelsea’s started the January transfer window with the unexpected move to recall Nathan Ake from his loan at Bournemouth. Since then the Blues have not brought anyone new (“old” new or “new” new) to Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea’s inactivity is as surprising as Ake’s return. Antonio Conte needs reinforcements across the pitch, and the recent Diego Costa (insert euphemism here) added a new level of urgency. With the windfall from Oscar’s sale collecting dust and interest in Chelsea’s coffers, the lack of transfer activity is vexing many.
Here are our staff grades on the January transfer window.
Andre Carlisle: F+
Let’s review: Antonio Conte crafted the perfect suit to tailor to Chelsea. The team then went on a 13 match win streak, and currently sit seven points clear at the top of the table in mid-January.
January, coincidentally, is also a time that teams can strengthen their squad with new signings in preparation for the final charge toward the end of the season. So far the only Premier League quality player Chelsea have brought in is a recalled Nathaniel Aké.
Um wut.
Not many predicted Chelsea would be in this position, but here we are. And if the Blues intend on ending the season with their position unchanged, they need to get busy. So far, however, all we’ve had is a Diego Costa hand-clutching-at-heart moment, a cup-tied Fernando Llorente rumor that made no sense, a bid on AFCON participant Franck Kessie and an Adama Traore “approach” (who has already been registered with two teams this season).
Must Read: Chelsea must spend the Oscar money in the January transfer window
Chelsea’s list of things required to stay on top is relatively common sense. The most pressing needs are left wing-back competition and depth in central defense.
In December, Chelsea was handed £52 million for a player who was barely making the bench. The team have the money to add to the squad. As much as I’m hopeful Nathaniel Ake can play a part, if he is the only addition come February 1, it will not be enough.
Travis Tyler: D
Chelsea have holes. Not glaring, giant sink holes where if one trips into it they may never be seen again. But more like potholes. Holes that could cause a great deal of inconvenience if not taken care of before they become the glaring, giant sink hole.
The more Chelsea play in the 3-4-3, the more the holes become apparent. Striker after Costa? A less-than ideal false nine Eden Hazard or a not-quite-ready Michy Batshuayi. Replacement center-back if one of the starting three gets injured? An aging John Terry and a recovering Kurt Zouma.
And that is not even including the improvements that Chelsea can make over the weakest members of the starting XI: Gary Cahill (who will probably find a way to start anyways ) and Nemanja Matic.
Must Read: Five years of Gary Cahill, Chelsea's defensive opportunist
Add in a switch to a 3-5-2 looking more necessary with every game and the question must be asked: What are Chelsea doing this window and why is it taking so long?
Nathan Ake’s return covers issues at center back, center mid, and wing back. The only issue is that he cannot be in all three places at once. Chelsea absolutely need reinforcements if they want to continue their push to the title.
The money is there after selling Oscar, but they have to spend it. The only reason this window has not be a failure so far is the unexpected return of Nathan Ake. But Chelsea need to fix the holes before it is too late.
Siva Sankar: C-
After a harrowing couple of days in which furore over Costa’s future came out of nothing and seemingly has come to nothing, the visceral hatred for January transfer windows has been reinforced.
Losing experienced depth players in the middle of the season is not ideal. Unfortunately, that is exactly what has happened to the Chelsea squad. Oscar and Mikel have left the club.
However, the club have done something that they have not done before: look within for depth. Nathan Ake, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and possibly Charly Musonda will more than fill. the gaps. These youngsters’ accession has also soothed the loss of Oscar, a frustratingly endearing player.
Admittedly, the club have not satisfactorily addressed the problem of wingback depth. That puts a dampener the outlook for the rest of the season. Injuries could potentially be a major problem for Chelsea down the line. Ake’s presence goes a long way in easing the problem, but is not a long term solution.
Daniel Mcclue: E+
Recalling Nathan Ake from his loan spell at Bournemouth was something relatively unheard of at Chelsea. He was actually starting games and playing well. Now the Blues need to give him game-time to make the recall worthwhile.
Ake offers versatility. The young Dutchman can play at centre-back, wing-back and (whisper it so he doesn’t play there) central midfield.
Apart from that, the Blues have done very little. They recalled Kenedy and Charly Musonda, but neither are likely to feature for the first team. The former would be a great backup at wing-back, but unfortunately another loan looks more likely.
Selling Oscar for £50 million+ was a great piece of business. Ake and the fee recovered from Oscar are the only two reasons this grade isn’t a U (F, for our American readers).
Chelsea need players, preferably ones that woll push for a starting spot at centre-back, both wing-back positions, central midfielder and striker/right forward. At the very least, they need some depth at one or two positions.
People complain about inflated prices in January as if signing players in the summer is five times cheaper. January sales add around £5-7 million to the value of a player. There is no excuse not to spend that Oscar money on someone who can help now.
I’m at the front of the queue to praise Antonio Conte for trusting more youth players. But for a long, sustained run at the title there needs to be more options down the line-up.
Injuries and suspensions will happen. The money is there and no confusion remains over what formation we will play. Don’t put off the inevitable – start making moves.
Next: Gael Kakuta, AVB stung by new Chinese Super League rules