The January window is fast approaching for our Chelsea fans here in the Transfer Tavern after a mixed start to their Premier League campaign.

The regular Blues in the Tavern are hoping that manager Antonio Conte can persuade the board to invest more than they did in the summer, in what looked like a difficult few months for the Italian coach in SW6. Chelsea look thin on the ground in most areas of the pitch and most of our punters think that many of the players are already looking tired and fatigued, despite not being at the halfway point of the season yet.

Our barman thinks that Conte must get this window right, to not only secure a top-four finish but to run the two Manchester clubs hard in the second half of the season, especially if he wants to close the current point gap.

With that in mind, our landlord believes that if Conte can persuade Chelsea owner, Roman Abramovich, to at least look to improve these TWO areas, Chelsea will reap the benefits.

The midfield area

Conte missed out on many midfield targets in the summer, eventually grabbing Danny Drinkwater in a last-gasp attempt to strengthen his midfield.

As previously stated, Chelsea look thin on the ground in that department, and with injuries hampering many a player this year, the Italian will surely be hoping to add some real quality and creativity in the centre of the park.

N’Golo Kante can only do so much and summer signing Tiémoué Bakayoko has proven to be somewhat inconsistent, so reinforcements are needed.

More striking options

Sole striker Alvaro Morata has taken to the Premier League like a duck to water, though the options outside of the Spaniard look rather limited indeed. Although Conte has Michy Batshuayi as a backup option, he doesn’t seem to be able to step up to the mark when needed.

Conte could look to add more pace and power along-side Eden Hazard and Willian, to ease the pressure on Morata and give the Spaniard rest during key parts of the season.