Chelsea has to start preparing for January early this year

Make no mistake, the moment the summer transfer window ends is the moment Chelsea begins to think about January. That being said, there is a difference between thinking about January and actively preparing for it. Chelsea has to start making moves in preparation for January because other circumstances are going to force their hand in one way or another.

First of all is the current contract issue crisis coming to a head. It’s not unusual for older guys like Cesar Azpilicueta and Thiago Silva to be running close. It’s far more unusual that the Blues have put themselves into a position where Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen are this close to being able to sign precontracts with other clubs. In almost every other circumstance like this, Chelsea has either been able to extend the contract with time to spare or sell the player before their profit is minimized.

Of course, it’s worth remembering where things stood this time just a year ago. The board had been trying to sell Rudiger and were sure to entertain offers for Christensen. Under Frank Lampard, neither player really locked down a spot and it made more sense to sell. Now, with Thomas Tuchel, both players are sure things but that doesn’t make the situation clearer.

Some of the concern is surely about how much this form is a real reflection of the players and how much of it is an uptick of form. Both Rudiger and Christensen have played well before and then dropped off. A year is a long time in a football, especially when a summer break bisects it, but there may be concern about offering either player a big contract not knowing if the current evidence is a blip or the norm.

Other players running close to when Chelsea would usually entertain extensions include Jorginho, N’Golo Kante, Marcos Alonso, and Trevoh Chalobah. There is no rush for any of them, but the Blues won’t want to end up in a similar situation as they are currently with Rudiger and Christensen. None of these four are likely to move in January but clubs might start getting interested soon if extensions don’t come.

The two centerbacks running short on their contracts could force Chelsea into early moves for replacements this January. It would be hard to replace either in the winter window but nothing is stopping the Blues from doing a deal similar to the Christian Pulisic deal. That might be more appealing for a club like Sevilla who held on to Jules Kounde in part because of the lateness of the summer window. Matthijs de Ligt has also been linked as of late but that seems more of a “big name, big club” transfer rumor mill sort of idea for now. Regardless, Chelsea can’t see one of Rudiger or Christensen leave as a free agent without a clear replacement plan ready.

No other position really needs incomings in January but a few outgoings should be expected. Ross Barkley and Malang Sarr have been given chances since failing to secure loan moves, but the Blues will likely push early for the players to spend the rest of the season elsewhere. Sarr needs the development minutes and Barkley needs some clarity as the late stages of his career approach. Lewis Baker can also count himself in this group as he has been resigned to the youth team.

But the January window isn’t just about the present. It is also about having half an eye on the future. Most of this is centered around loans. Billy Gilmour needs to be playing more than he currently has been. He’s too talented to let rot at a Norwich side that would rather lose with their own than do anything else. Armando Broja may be in a similar situation, though Ralph Hasenhuttl has at least started to come around lately. Levi Colwill has been a surprise package and may offer a solution to the looming centerback crisis, not unlike Trevoh Chalobah’s surprise rise this season. Meanwhile, Conor Gallagher is doing far too well to ignore for the future.

Gallagher’s situation is perhaps the most interesting given it will affect Saul Niguez’s future. The Spaniard came in to the Blues on loan to fill out the depth of the midfield but he has yet to really lock down a place. As things stand, it would be very surprising to see Saul remain at Chelsea next year while Gallagher goes on loan.

All of these ideas need preparation and planning as January approaches. The centerback issue is by and far the most pressing in the coming window and if Rudiger and Christensen won’t extend, then the Blues need to have replacements ready. It is unlikely that either (or any other major player for that matter) is sold in January but there could be a few curveballs yet.

Chelsea has a large, crowded squad (especially in attack) and eventually that will come to a head like the centerback issue. That is something to consider this January as well if the right offers start coming in.