Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti could be a busy man in the January transfer window as he looks to take advantage of the Blues’ transfer ban being suspended. With Chelsea stars such as Didier Drogba, Michael Essien, John Obi Mikel and Salomon Kalou all heading to the African Cup of Nations next year, Ancelotti will be looking to bring in some more talent in January. And with a Champions League fixture against Jose Mourinho’s Inter Milan on the horizon, the Italian will be keen to get one over the former Chelsea manager. But will any of Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko and Bastian Schweinsteiger be moving to Stamford Bridge in January?
It looks as though Bundesliga club Bayern Munich should be bracing themselves for an approach from Chelsea for at least one of their players as Ancelotti looks to strengthen the Blues’ midfield. The latest rumour today was that Chelsea are concentrating their attentions on German international Bastian Schweinsteiger. Hardly a snip at £25 million, Schweinsteiger would provide plenty of versatility in the middle of the park and is seen as a potential long-term replacement for fellow German Michael Ballack. It looks as though Chelsea’s pursuit of Franck Ribery will end in disappointment though, as he has set his heart on a move to Real Madrid in the summer.
With Drogba on international duty with Ivory Coast next year, a striker should be one of Ancelotti’s top priorities. Chelsea are frontrunners in the race to sign Sergio Aguero, and the Argentinean has stated his admiration of the London club. The 21 year old is quoted in The Sun saying “Chelsea are interested in me because they think I can play an important role for the team. And I think I fit with their style of play.” What is effectively a come and get me plea is unlikely to be passed up by Ancelotti, as the £30 million rated striker is currently one of football’s hottest properties.
If a move for Aguero did fall through, then there are plenty of other striking options for Chelsea to pursue. Today they have been linked with Wolfsburg forward Edin Dzeko, with the Bosnian also thought to be targeted by both Manchester United and Arsenal. A prospect that will excite Chelsea fans is that a move for both Aguero and Dzeko in January isn’t out of the question, and the 6ft 3in striker could prove to be the perfect target man off of which Aguero would prosper.
As Essien and Mikel head off to Africa, a short term replacement for the pair may well be drafted in, and former Gunner Patrick Vieira fits the bill perfectly. The Frenchman would bring some steel to the middle of the park and provide plenty of experience and quality despite his advancing years. One of their other potential targets for the defensive midfield position was Gennaro Gattuso, but he signed a new contract with AC Milan this week, so Vieira may be the only viable option.
A rumour that should be completely disregarded is the potential swap between Ricardo Carvalho and Real Madrid’s Ruud van Nistelrooy, especially with the quality of the other strikers that Chelsea have been linked with. A move for Uruguay international Luis Suarez also seems to have fallen through, as the Ajax striker has pledged to stay in Holland until the 2010 World Cup at least. Whilst the link with Croatian full back Darijo Srna seems completely off the mark, purely due to the strength in depth that Chelsea have on both sides of their defence.
In the January transfer window Chelsea are likely to make at least two purchases, one being a world-class striker, and secondly raiding Bayern Munich for a midfielder. But should a defensive midfielder be on Ancelotti’s wish list, and maybe even a goalkeeper due to Petr Cech’s recent form, but would West Ham’s Robert Green really bring improved quality in that position though? One thing’s for sure, Chelsea will buy in January as Roman Abramovic looks to take the opportunity while he can, but who would you like to see go to Chelsea in the transfer window?
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Aguero is a special talent and should be brought in to freshen the squad up. I’d also love to see us sign Akinfeev (spelling) of CSKA Moscow as I am fed up with Cech’s constant mistakes. We desperately need a top keeper that our defenders have confidence in.