Chelsea fans in the Transfer Tavern are well aware that their side needs January recruits to save their calamitous season but are keen to know who they could realistically secure.
That’s led to a heated debate at the bar, whilst they watch the exciting Super Sunday action, as fans argue whether top-class signings are a possibility in January; or whether Chelsea will have to settle for some lesser names.
It’s looking likely to be a crucial month for the Blues, who are in danger of missing out on Champions League football if they don’t improve their fortunes and add capable new additions to their ranks.
The following five players are additions they believe they could secure in January, though you may not agree with their choices!
Hit Mourinho below to see FIVE players Chelsea could realistically sign in January.
[ffc-gallery]
[/ffc-gallery]
Ezequiel Lavezzi
The 30-year-old Paris Saint-Germain wide-man could be on the move in January, if the French side look to secure a fee, otherwise the Ligue 1 outfit will lose the Argentine on a free transfer in the summer; with it widely reported that Barcelona are set to agree a deal.
However Chelsea could move ahead of them with a swoop in January, where the offer of regular first-team football could tempt Lavezzi. Playing second-string to a front trio of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Edinson Cavani and Angel Di Maria isn’t keeping him happy- which means it would be a surprise if he agreed to sit on the bench in Spain.
Let’s face it, we can’t see Lavezzi dislodging the formidable front trio of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez.
Marquinhos
After a failed transfer move over the summer, Chelsea could revise their interest in Paris Saint-Germain defender Marquinhos and may be in a better position to secure his services this time around.
Marquinhos isn’t happy playing reserve to David Luiz and Thiago Silva in Paris, whilst it’s clear he’d get first-team opportunities at Chelsea due to their woeful defensive record; especially with John Terry seemingly clashing with Jose Mourinho.
The addition of Marquinhos could prove to be decisive in a testing season for the Blues.
Ruben Neves
Chelsea are one of many sides believed to be keeping tabs on Porto midfielder Ruben Neves, who recently became the youngest captain in Champions League history- and he’s featured against the Blues this season, as the Portuguese side defeated the Premier League champions.
Arsenal and Liverpool are also said to be in the hunt for the 18-year-old sensation but Mourinho’s links in Portugal could work to Chelsea’s advantage. However, Porto have insisted they do not want to sell the player under any circumstances.
Marko Grujic
A player that’s unlikely to make an immediate impact on the first-team is Marko Grujic, a 19-year-old Serbian international that Chelsea are allegedly winning the race for; with the crucial aspect being suggestions they will send the teenager back on-loan to Red Star Belgrade.
Manchester United are also chasing the teenager’s signature but Chelsea have strong links with Red Star, which may well work in their favour, whilst the willingness to let Grujic return to the club on-loan could sweeten the deal.
Andriy Yarmolenko
Jose Mourinho was at Ukraine’s clash with Spain during the recent international break, allegedly watching Andriy Yarmolenko; although the Portuguese boss has denied this is the case, although not very convincingly.
Yarmolenko, of Dynamo Kiev, has been tracked by some of the biggest clubs in European football but Chelsea may well be the ones to secure his signature.
