Chelsea’s 2020 January window: Battle between wants, needs, and reality

Chelsea is being linked to an increasing number of players for January. The window will be a battle between wants, needs, and reality.

The transfer ban allowed Chelsea to finally bring through the youth that had long been some of the world’s best compared to their peers. It also allowed Frank Lampard to reinstate a sense of “Chelseainess” under the veil of transition. But now the Blues can buy and by all accounts, that cash is burning a hole through their pocket.

January is traditionally a tricky time to reinforce a squad. There is a January premium to pay and players also have to completely shift gears midseason. It does have its payoffs of course, such as less competition for players and six months leeway before a new season for new players. Overall, however, it is tricky to get right.

The target list for Chelsea seemingly grows by the day and it is becoming increasingly clear that it is split a few different ways. Chelsea wants certain players, but also needs a totally different type. All of that needs to be filtered through the lens of what is not only possible in January, but in the summer if the club were to wait. Basically, it is a delicate balancing act for Frank Lampard, Petr Cech, and Marina Granovskaia.

By all accounts, the Blues are sitting on £150 million in January. The latest reliable rumors, such as they are, have pointed Chelsea in the direction of Jadon Sancho, Wilfried Zaha, Leon Bailey, Samuel Chukwueze, Timo Werner, Moussa Dembele, and Nathan Ake. Olivier Giroud, Pedro, and maybe even Marcos Alonso are earmarked to be heading out.

Obviously Chelsea is not trying to bring in all of those players. Ake’s place on the list seems to be in large part due to being readily available. The Blues need defensive reinforcements more than any other position and while Ake is not statistically ahead of any one Chelsea currently has, his availability and versatility make him a tempting target. Chelsea could still bring in world class defenders in the summer, many of whom will simply not be available in the winter under any circumstance.

Werner, Dembele, and to some extent, Zaha are all names to cover for Tammy Abraham. The English striker has been fantastic this season, but his deputies are simply not enough to keep Chelsea afloat. All three could come in a provide competition for Abraham and Werner and Zaha could also play on the wing if required. The three are more likely than not available with price being the main sticking point.

The remaining targets have one eye on replacing Pedro and Willian down the line and another eye on helping lift the burden on Abraham. Chelsea has been at their best this season when other players have picked up the scoring load with the English striker. The recent struggles have coincided with goals drying up around Abraham. But the availability of the targets is an open question.

As already mentioned, Werner and Zaha would be available and could play with Abraham as well as instead of him. Results vary on the remaining players. Sancho would cost a great deal, even if he is angling for a move in January. Bailey would be more attainable, but he has not shone as brightly as he used to the last time Chelsea was interested. Chukwueze is the most avant-garde choice, but there could be concerns about his age and buying for potential rather than something more polished.

Chelsea needs defenders, but the reality is that Ake may be the only available one. They need a deputy to Abraham as well as someone who can assist him with the scoring burden. Some may be available, but the name most fans want will be a difficult prospect. And with any transfer, there is also the chance Chelsea sits on the money and opts to spend in the summer when targets are more flexible in their movements.

Regardless, it appears that Chelsea is looking towards the future to build a younger, stronger, and more competitive squad. Whether it starts in January or the summer will be down to the reality of the situations and how much Chelsea is willing to spend to get the ball rolling.