Chelsea fans should not expect a busy January transfer window

It is November and transfer rumors are starting to pick up along with the wish lists of fans. But Chelsea is sure to have another quiet January.

The media is cyclical when it comes to reporting rumors. Roughly two months before any transfer window is when the rumors really start to pick up like clockwork. They, of course, go into overdrive during the window and then there is a slow trickle until that T-minus two month mark.

Fans create their wish lists in hopes that maybe, just maybe, the club has the same idea. These wish lists are often most fulfilled in the summer, but it does not stop anyone from making one for January in hopes of fixing this issue or that issue as the season goes on.

But this January, Chelsea fans should expect very little if anything on the transfer front. Maurizio Sarri has made clear his preferences and the club is not in much of a position to look at the market.

Sarri was brought to Chelsea in part because he does not make transfer demands. He has often claimed that he is “bored” by the market and rumors. He has also claimed that the current squad is too big as it is.

So why would he ask for new players? And why would Chelsea’s board (who have been tight with money in recent years) get Sarri a player he does not want or thinks he needs?

Chelsea, for the first time in quite a while, has almost two players for every position. Goalkeeper is well taken care of. The defense is two deep everywhere and Ethan Ampadu adds a spare. Danny Drinkwater is in the cold in midfield but there are still two per position despite that. The wing is well stocked regardless of whether Callum Hudson-Odoi or Victor Moses is the fourth winger. Striker is filled with two solid (at times) players.

With two players for each spot, plus the extras, Chelsea has a 26 man squad. Even if Drinkwater and Moses depart in January (which is likely), that still leaves a few too many players for Sarri. Davide Zappacosta might be eyeballing an exit and several of the more fringe players could be looking at loans. If all that were to happen, then the squad would be closer to the size that Sarri desires.

So adding anyone would be adding surplus for the sake of surplus. Sarri does not want that as he seems content with improving the players he has. This has become even more visible as Loftus-Cheek has proven capable of doing double duty on the wing. Who else could Sarri repurpose if need be?

Add in that Chelsea has not technical director and does not seem to care to get one and it would make since to only sell and avoid buying in January. The squad might start feeling the effects of that in the Spring but Sarri will be happier for it. The needs of the squad can also be better filled in the summer than they can in January.

Do not expect much activity in the in column in January. A lot can change between now and then but Sarri does not seem interested in adding bodies. He is more interested in shedding them so it would be best to give him his wish and cut the fat from the squad.