Which positions should Chelsea target in the upcoming transfer window?

The January transfer window is quickly approaching, so what are some of the positions of need for Chelsea during this period?

Chelsea grabbed headlines during the last transfer window by going on a seemingly outrageous spending spree. Overall, the Blues followed up a transfer ban by dropping north of £200 million on a handful of players. Hakim Ziyech, Timo Werner, Malang Sarr (free), Ben Chilwell, Thiago Silva (free), Kai Havertz and Edouard Mendy kicked off the Frank Lampard era by being the first group of transfers under the boss’ guidance.

The rumors are faint regarding the upcoming period, so nobody really knows who the Blues are targeting—if anybody. One thing’s for sure though, Chelsea won’t make as much noise this time around. Regardless, there are a few noticeable holes in the squad after a few months of play in the Premier League. Obviously some of these voids can—and will—be filled in the summer window, but others need immediate attention.

The most glaring gape in the team is depth on the wings. This has been no more apparent than after the last two contests at Goodison Park and Molineux. Hakim Ziyech and Callum Hudson-Odoi have been noticeable absentees during the Blues’ most recent matches. Christian Pulisic—who also struggled with fitness—is as injury prone as anybody in the world it seems, so having the American as the only winger to rely on seems like a risky strategy. Mason Mount, Werner, Havertz and even Emerson have stepped up to the plate though this season out wide, none of which have exactly hit home runs. Each has had their moment, but it’s difficult to play the part of a winger in Lampard’s system.

Chelsea needs at least one more wide man in the window—if not two. The Blues were thin in the position anyway, given there are only three players covering two spots, but the congested fixture list isn’t doing Lampard and Co. any favors. In a perfect world, Charly Musonda could make a remarkable comeback from his horrific injury past and slot seamlessly into the first team as a back-up option to Ziyech. This isn’t a dream though; the Blues are going to have to turn to the transfer market to find the solution to their depth issues.

Another area of the pitch that could use a bit of backing is the midfield. Now, I know what you’re thinking: we already have Mount and Havertz and Kante and Kovacic and Gilmour and Jorginho and … you get the point. You’re completely right, but we’re also advocating for Havertz to spend a bit of time on the sideline as he regains fitness. The Blues have struggled to field a fully rotated squad  at all this season and it’s because of the lack of options in the middle of the park.

Ross Barkley or Ruben Loftus-Cheek should’ve gone on loan—that much isn’t disputed—but emphasis on the word ‘or’. It was clearly a mistake letting both depart for the season as they would’ve seen some serious game time. The return of Loftus-Cheek could be in the cards, don’t count on it though. Billy Gilmour’s return lessens the need for a defensive midfielder that many cried for earlier in the season. However, it wouldn’t hurt. As hard as it may be to accept, N’Golo Kante and Mount are mere mortals who occasionally get tired legs. When this happens, Chelsea needs a suitable second-hand to step in.

The transfer market is littered with aging players who are looking to get a bit of game time or make one last hurrah in the English top flight as a back-up. As nice as it’d be to have a rising star like Conor Gallagher or Jeremie Boga return to Stamford Bridge for the season, I cannot think of a worse move for their respective careers. That being said, players like Loftus-Cheek and Ethan Ampadu could find themselves sporting the blue training attire within a matter of weeks. No matter, Chelsea needs to bring in two to three players to help ease the workload on the shoulders of some of the Blues’ regulars.

Who do you think Chelsea should go and get in the January transfer window? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter!