Chelsea have blown hot and cold this season and might need to resort to the January market to finish in the top four.
For a club of their stature, it was a disastrous blow to finish outside the top half last season, and Chelsea opted to make wholesale changes on all fronts. The Blues decided to appoint Mauricio Pochettino as their manager during the summer transfer window, and the Argentine was expected to revitalise the squad and get them back into the UEFA Champions League.
They missed out on Champions League qualification after finishing 12th in the league table last season. But things have not improved in the new season either despite Pochettino’s arrival. Chelsea are currently languishing in tenth place in the standings, with just four wins from 13 league matches.
Despite spending a sum of around £400 million on 12 new arrivals, the Blues have not been able to perform at a high level and might miss out on Champions League qualification once again. It is clear that Chelsea need to bring in quality additions in January to get their campaign back on track. Here at The Hard Tackle, we look at three potential signings that could transform Chelsea during the second half of the season.
Ivan Toney
Chelsea signed Nicolas Jackson from Villareal during the summer transfer window to solve their goalscoring problems. The Blues have not been able to get the best out of him so far, and the Senegalese international has been largely underwhelming.
While Chelsea have scored 22 goals in 13 Premier League matches, Jackson has managed only six strikes thus far. So, it is evident that they need to bring in a reliable finisher. That is where Ivan Toney, a target for several high-profile clubs including Arsenal.
Toney has been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge, and the 27-year-old could be the striker they are crying out for. He is a proven performer in the Premier League and could transform Chelsea going forward.
The 27-year-old will be hungry to prove himself at a big club and is well rested and raring to go during the second half of the campaign. The striker is currently suspended for breaching gambling regulations, and he will return to action midway through January.
Goncalo Inacio
The Sporting CP defender has been linked with a move away from Portugal in recent months, with Liverpool among his prospective suitors. And he could prove to be the ideal acquisition for Chelsea at the back.
Despite investing millions on new defenders, the Blues have conceded 20 goals in 13 league matches so far. It is clear that Mauricio Pochettino has a brittle defensive unit at his disposal, and he will need to plug the gaps in January.
Inacio has established himself as one of the finest young defenders in Europe, and the 22-year-old could help Chelsea tighten up defensively. He can operate as a left-back as well, which would be a major boost for the Blues if they can sign him.
Ben Chilwell is the only reliable left-back at the club right now and Inacio could cover multiple positions for Chelsea. The defender has a £52 million release clause in his contract, and Chelsea certainly have the financial means to get the deal done.
In addition to his quality as a defender, Inacio is tactically quite flexible and will be able to operate in a back three as well as a back four. Mauricio Pochettino has previously deployed a back three at clubs like Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton. The arrival of Inacio could help the Argentine manager to switch things around.
Adrien Rabiot
Chelsea have spent a substantial amount of money on new midfielders over the past year. They have signed Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia. But the West London club need to add some experience, composure and technical ability in the middle of the park. Rabiot would be a superb acquisition for Chelsea.
The French international is in the final year of his contract with Juventus, and he could be available for a nominal price in January. Not only would he add defensive steel to the Chelsea midfield, but his experience and the ability to retain possession will come in very handy.
He could be the ideal partner for Fernandez and Caicedo at the heart of the midfield. The 28-year-old is capable of operating in a midfield three as well as a midfield pivot. Signings like Rabiot will allow Pochettino greater tactical flexibility.