For the Chelsea fans in the Transfer Tavern, the Blues’ recent surge up the table is all down to new manager Antonio Conte. 

Having switched to a 3-4-3 formation, the west London giants have transformed into genuine title contenders under the Italian, after looking ridiculously shaky in the weeks leading up to his tactical tinkering.

Now, even the erratic David Luiz looks strong as part of a three-man defence, though links with a move for German defender Antonio Rudiger have certainly given the fans in the Tavern something to think about.

While the prospect of welcoming another defender to Stamford Bridge is certainly of interest to the fans in this evening, a few of the punters are expressing concerns that his arrival could rock the finely tuned boat at the Bridge.

Still, Chelsea are not aversed to spending big in the New Year sales and Conte may well see the upcoming market as an ideal chance to add to a potentially title winning squad.

With that in mind, here are TWO players who could follow Rudiger to Chelsea.

Stephan Lichtsteiner

The vastly experienced Swiss international has been linked with a move to Chelsea in order to reunite with former Juventus coach Antonio Conte.

While Victor Moses has hugely impressed in the right wing-back role of late, there’s little options when it comes to backing up the Nigerian international, especially considering Branislav Ivanovic’s plummeting stock.

Out of contract with the Old Lady in the summer, a cut-price move for the 32-year-old could be a clever route to go down.

Thiago Maia

Where the aforementioned Lichtsteiner represents a move for experience and some much-needed title winning nous, a move for the burgeoning Thiago Maia may be another interesting avenue to explore.

The 19-year-old has been linked with a number of big clubs following a series of exceptional performances for Santos and the Brazil U23 side, meaning he could be quite the coup for the Blues.

One for the future.