Tactics and Transfers: January signings are necessary for Chelsea
In terms of free agents though, Chelsea should offer a contract to Franck Kessie. When the deadwood is removed in the upcoming summer, some of the Blues’ midfield depth will be depleted. I personally am of the opinion that Conor Gallagher should get a second season on loan at Crystal Palace anyway. He is playing well there and should be allowed to consolidate his status in the league with a full 38-game run while also building on his successes to bring back strong habits to the club. That—plus having a future midfielder molded by Patrick Vieira—is essentially a dream that Chelsea managed to stumble into. If Gallagher can be turned into a Viera-type player during his time at Crystal Palace then the Blues will not need to do anything but play him to win the league for the next decade. Another year on loan should be a simple price to pay.
Kessie offers a bridge and would just be good business. A 24-year-old defensive midfielder who is asking for a slight pay rise is simple business. He is a dynamic defensive midfielder who can cover for the obvious fitness woes of both Jorginho and Kante. He would be a marvelous addition to the side and Chelsea should hopefully have that offer out this week.
It is also worth investigating Boubacar Kamara of Marseille, who is another free agent in the summer. The defensive midfielder and centerback has been compared to Marquinhos on multiple occasions by the French press for his style of play. He is already the captain of a high pressure club in Marseille. He would be another fantastic free option who would again be available to play both in central defense, where Silva does, as well as provide cover in midfield.
For the sake of it, I also don’t think it would be bad to offer Niklas Sule a contract. Should I be incorrect about Chelsea’s centerbacks mainly bluffing in their free agency demands, Sule is a good option as a rotational centerback. His injury issues appear to be mainly behind him and the only medical staff in the world to rival Bayern Munich’s is Chelsea. They are the only two clubs in the world who bet on their medical staffs and take discounts when buying injured players like the Blues did with Rudiger and his ACL and Bayern did with Sane and the same injury. Sule has experience as a right back and a centerback. Further, he is a towering defender who is smart tactically and good on the ball. Sule allows Chelsea to add a quality player at minimal risk while providing a plan for moving forward both with and without the expiring players.