Chelsea supporters were in high spirits in the Transfer Tavern on Tuesday night after seeing their side sweep past Qarabag upon their return to the Champions League.

The Blues went into their European date with the Azerbaijan Premier League champions off the back of three successive top-flight victories, the latest a 2-1 success at Leicester City.

And Antonio Conte’s men certainly put on a show at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night, with goals from Pedro, Davide Zappacosta, Cesar Azpilicueta, Tiemoue Bakayoko, and Michy Batshuayi, as well as an own goal from Maksim Medvedev, sealing an easy win for the hosts.

Their attentions will now turn to a mouth-watering Premier League clash with Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal on Sunday, in which the Blues could go six points clear of their London rivals with victory at Stamford Bridge.

However, one man who won’t be lining up for the Blues is striker Diego Costa, who has reportedly edged closer to a return to Atletico Madrid, reports The Daily Express.

The Spaniard has been cast out by manager Conte but now looks set to finally earn a move away, albeit he’ll have to wait until January, and here are FIVE players who Chelsea could bring in as a result of the fee gained for Costa in the New Year…

Ryan Bertrand

There was reported interest from Chelsea in former left-back Ryan Bertrand over the summer, and it’s a move they could seek to do in January as well.

The 28-year-old left Stamford Bridge permanently back in 2015 to link up with Southampton, and since then has gone from strength to strength for the Saints, resulting in him becoming one of England’s first choice left-backs in recent years.

Bertrand has developed into one of the best full-backs in the division and would certainly bolster Chelsea’s ranks, in turn providing adequate cover as well as competition for Marcos Alonso in the left wing-back spot.

Danny Rose

And if they decide against renewing their interest in Bertrand, they may well look to lure Danny Rose away from Tottenham.

The 27-year-old has been excellent at the North London side in recent times to become England’s first choice left-back, as well as one of the Premier League’s most reliable full-backs, both in defence and attack.

Injury has hampered his progress this year but that didn’t stop Chelsea reportedly eyeing up a move for him over the summer, and following his recent interview with The Sun, in which he said he’s only got ‘one big contract’ left, Chelsea may well be able to convince him to move away from Spurs in January.

Riyad Mahrez

There was a lot of talk over the summer surrounding Riyad Mahres’z future, but he remained a Leicester City player beyond the August 31 deadline.

Chelsea were reportedly one club interested in landing the 2015/16 PFA Player of the Year, an award he won after inspiring the Foxes to the most unlikely of Premier League titles, with 17 goals and ten assists helping Claudio Ranieri’s men achieve the unthinkable.

Nonetheless, murmurings over the summer have suggested that the Algeria star wants to leave Leicester, and he may well get his wish in January should Chelsea still be in the market for an attacker midfielder to help with their challenges on both domestic and European fronts this term.

Sergio Aguero

Sergio Aguero’s future at Manchester City has been subject to speculation ever since Gabriel Jesus made the move to the Etihad Stadium, and you sense that this season will go some way to answering those rumours.

So far, manager Pep Guardiola has started the two of them together in three of their four Premier League games, but crucially it was Aguero who was dropped when they played one upfront against Bournemouth.

And if that trend continues for the rest of the campaign, it’s perfectly plausible that Aguero may consider a move away in January. And if so Chelsea must pounce.

There aren’t many better strikers in world football than the Argentina international, whose tally of 124 Premier League goals in just 185 games is simply extraordinary.

The Blues have been loosely linked with Aguero in the past, and should look to up the ante in January using the cash from Costa’s departure.

Antoine Griezmann

The future of Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann was subject of intense speculation all summer, before the Frenchman decided to stay put at the Spanish club.

Both Chelsea and Manchester United were reportedly keen on the 26-year-old, whose 83 goals in 162 games for Atletico has underlined his status as one of the best attackers in world football.

And with Costa seemingly set for a move back to Diego Simeone’s side, the Blues could seek to flex their muscles by including Griezmann in any deal for the Spaniard.

And with Atletico’s transfer ban set to end in January, there could well be some movement in and out of the Wanda Metropolitano in the New Year.