The Hard Tackle lists three players Chelsea should pursue in the winter transfer to meet each objective pre-designated for the 2025/26 season.
Chelsea entered the 2025/26 season full of optimism, buoyed by another summer of heavy investment and a renewed sense of purpose under their current management. Yet, as autumn gives way to winter, the mood around Stamford Bridge has turned uneasy. Their performances have veered wildly from the sublime to the sloppy, leaving supporters frustrated at the team’s inability to string together results.
Despite flashes of brilliance, the Blues have been repeatedly undone by defensive lapses, wasteful finishing, and a worrying lack of composure in key moments. One of the root causes of their instability stems from the backline. Losing Levi Colwill to a serious knee injury long before the new campaign kicked off was a devastating blow. Chelsea explored several centre-back options during the summer window but ultimately failed to secure a replacement.
The result has been clear: a makeshift defence that too often crumbles under pressure. Without a commanding presence at the heart of their back four, Chelsea’s structure and balance have suffered, leaving them vulnerable both on the counter and in set-piece situations. Their attacking output has not offered much relief either.
Despite boasting a wealth of attacking talent, Chelsea’s forwards have struggled to convert chances consistently. Close-range misses, poor decision-making in the final third, and a lack of clinical edge have all cost the West London club precious points. There is a growing sense that the team needs a reliable finisher who can deliver when it matters most, especially against top-half opposition.
To make matters worse, errors between the posts have compounded Chelsea’s problems. Their goalkeepers have alternated between solid spells and costly blunders, shaking confidence throughout the squad. With issues persisting at both ends of the pitch, Chelsea’s season risks slipping away unless decisive reinforcements arrive. That’s why, as the winter transfer window nears, attention turns to three key signings who could transform their fortunes and rescue what is left of their campaign.
Zion Suzuki
Zion Suzuki has emerged as one of the brightest young goalkeeping talents in Europe, capturing attention with his consistently impressive performances for Parma and the Japanese national team. Since stepping into Serie A, Suzuki has been a standout, blending lightning-quick reflexes, excellent positioning, and a level of composure under pressure that belies his age.
The youngster’s knack for producing crucial saves and managing his area effectively has provided Parma with tremendous stability in goal, and his ability to read the game makes him a formidable last line of defence. On the international stage, Suzuki continues to add to his resume with mature displays for Japan, where his leadership and shot-stopping ability have won plaudits.
For Chelsea, signing Suzuki would represent a significant upgrade over Robert Sanchez, whose confidence-shaking errors have cost the team dearly. Suzuki’s youthful energy and professionalism would dovetail perfectly with Chelsea’s ambitions for renewal, bringing both reliability and potential for growth. His distribution skills, also, equip him to launch attacks from the back, aligning neatly with Enzo Maresca’s tactical vision for more proactive, possession-based play.
Ousmane Diomande
Ousmane Diomande has rapidly become one of the continent’s most coveted defenders since his emergence at Sporting CP. His combination of athletic prowess, intelligent positioning, and technical skill offers Chelsea an ideal solution for the void left by Levi Colwill’s injury. It will also laying the foundation for a formidable defensive partnership in the years ahead.
Diomande’s ability to step forward into midfield to break opposition lines, win aerial duels, and recover possession under pressure makes him a natural fit for the kind of football that Enzo Maresca wants to play.
Under the Italian tactician, the build-up relies heavily on centre-backs who remain calm and distributed under intense pressing, qualities that Diomande demonstrates with remarkable consistency. Pursuing Diomande is not without challenge, though, as his rising reputation has attracted the interest of Premier League giants Liverpool and Manchester United, as well as top European clubs.
This competitive market highlights both the urgency for Chelsea to act and Diomande’s value as a long-term solution at the heart of their defence. By making a decisive move in the winter transfer window, the Blues can secure a defender ready to anchor their backline for seasons to come, and who could elevate the performance of those around him.
Dusan Vlahovic
Dusan Vlahovic has reignited his reputation this season, reclaiming his spot among Europe’s elite forwards by leading the line with renewed confidence and authority for Juventus. The Serb’s resurgence has been characterized by clinical finishing, sharp movement both inside and outside the penalty area, and a notable improvement in linking play with midfield teammates.
Vlahovic’s physicality and instinctive feel for goal would immediately address Chelsea’s lingering issues in the final third, providing the cutting edge needed to convert their creative attacking play into consistent results.
The 25-year-old thrives on quick transitions, is adept at holding up the ball, and can drop deep to facilitate build-up, all of which make him well-suited to Chelsea’s current tactical framework. Compounding his appeal is his rapidly approaching contract expiry, less than a year away, which could allow Chelsea to negotiate favorable terms for a player of his calibre.
However, competition for his signature is intense, with contingency planning underway at Manchester United and Tottenham, both of whom see Vlahovic as a solution to their own attacking needs. For Chelsea, the opportunity to recruit a striker with the hunger to prove himself could be transformative, both on the pitch and in the dressing room.