As December descends upon Stamford Bridge, Chelsea finds itself grappling with a familiar malaise, their once hopeful pursuit of the title now seemingly slipping beyond reach.

The recent draw against Arsenal, especially when reduced to ten men, had the potential to be a defining moment. However, the suspension of Moises Caicedo for the next three clashes has seen Chelsea secure just a single league victory since, even with Cole Palmer’s return to the lineup.

As they prepare to host Bournemouth on Tuesday, Chelsea sits 13 points adrift of league leaders Arsenal. They are precariously holding onto a Champions League spot, tied on points with Manchester United, separated only by goal difference.

In this context, Chelsea analyst KIERAN GILL delves into the crucial details of the forthcoming transfer window.

The December blues have bitten hard once again at Stamford Bridge, and Chelsea’s faint title hopes have all but drifted away in recent weeks

Defeat at home to Aston Villa on Saturday has left Chelsea 13 points behind leaders Arsenal

1. What should Chelsea prioritize in January?

While it’s tempting to argue that every area of the squad could use reinforcements, the most pressing need appears to be up front. Chelsea is in dire need of a prolific striker, a true No 9, who can elevate their game to new heights.

I like Liam Delap. He’s only 22. He can still prove good value at £30million. But when he was injured, Chelsea’s options up top were to use Joao Pedro, who isn’t overly fond of leading the line, or Marc Guiu, a teenager they allowed to leave on loan in the summer before recalling him as cover, or Tyrique George and Pedro Neto as false nines.

They have already signed Emmanuel Emegha, but he will only be arriving from Strasbourg in the summer. Delap is fit again and he came on as a substitute against Aston Villa. However, his biggest contribution was to be booked for dissent.

It frustrates me as a neutral watching Enzo Maresca’s side create multiple chances without the finish following – they should have been at least two goals to the good against Villa by half-time – so I cannot imagine how annoying it is for the fans.

Goals win games, so I would say they need that striker who provides those, but then as I said, that’s only my opinion. I’ll cover what Chelsea insiders themselves are thinking in the next questions. 

I like Liam Delap and think he can be good value at £30m, but Chelsea need a killer No 9

2. Do they have money to spend?

They do. Just last week, Chelsea suddenly entered the race for Antoine Semenyo, the Bournemouth winger who has a £65million release clause.

Then, they suddenly withdrew their interest within 24 hours of declaring it, presumably after learning that he has his heart set on a move to Manchester City.

If nothing else, that told us there is money to spend in January if need be.

However, I’m told this isn’t a window in which Chelsea’s hierarchy are keen on going big, and I haven’t heard that stance has changed amid their disappointing run of one win in six in the Premier League.

Just last week, Chelsea suddenly entered the race for Antoine Semenyo, the Bournemouth winger who has a £65million release clause. Then, they suddenly withdrew their interest

3. Who are they targeting?

Sorry to disappoint, but I’m told Chelsea aren’t itching to use January for incomings. They ripped up and redid their attack in the summer, which was unusual and brave, but do not believe it is beneficial to make major changes mid-season and have confidence in their current squad.

They will be alert to opportunities – see Semenyo above, and they tried to get his former Bournemouth team-mate Dean Huijsen when his own release clause was there to be activated in the last window, only for Real Madrid to win that race – but they aren’t actively looking at filling specific gaps currently.

Injuries could force them into thinking otherwise, of course, but right now, they reckon their squad is competitive enough to secure this season’s goal of a top-four finish in the Premier League alongside long cup runs. I’m sure we will hear them linked to this and that player on social media. That’s the nature of transfer tittle-tattle nowadays

 Chelsea would like to bolster their central midfield, given Romeo Lavia’s injury history with no update yet on his return, but that is more of an area they are focusing on for the summer’s window rather than January.

They have been linked again with James McAtee, now 23 and with Nottingham Forest. Chelsea have been tracking McAtee ever since he was a youngster with Manchester City – I reported that back in August 2024.

They have been linked again with James McAtee, now 23 and with Nottingham Forest

4. How have their summer signings fared so far?

Not the best, if we’re being brutally honest. Let’s run through them.

Dario Essugo? He was supposed to be Moises Caicedo’s deputy, but has been injured so we’ve hardly seen a kick out of him.

Liam Delap? Replaced Nicolas Jackson, but has struggled even when not injured. 

Joao Pedro? Impressed here and there, but it feels like he’s been overused out of necessity.

Jamie Gittens? Needs to up his attacking output if he is to look worth the same money for which they sold Noni Madueke to Arsenal.

Alejandro Garnacho? Can still prove good value at £40million, but has a habit of getting into good positions and letting himself down, which may sound familiar to Manchester United fans.

Jorrel Hato? He’s young, he’s versatile, he’ll improve, despite the odd disappointing performance, but he’s currently injured.

Estevao Willian? He’s exciting, though I can understand why he’s being eased in. He’s looked elite in the odd game and is still working on that consistency as a Brazilian aged 18 in a new country.

Jamie Gittens needs to up his attacking output if he is to look worth the same money for which they sold Noni Madueke to Arsenal

Estevao Willian? He’s exciting, but I can understand why he’s being eased in. He’s looked elite in the odd game and is still working on that consistency as a Brazilian aged 18 in a new country

Shim Mheuka would like some senior minutes sooner rather than later and that would have to come at a different club

5. And who might leave?

Tyrique George is available. Chelsea nearly sold him in the summer until his deadline-day move to Fulham fell through at the 11th hour.

They would like to sell Raheem Sterling and Axel Disasi, both of whom have spent this season out of their senior squad. Sterling is on a contract worth around £300,000 per week, and I’m told Disasi earns around £100,000, so neither will be the easiest when rival clubs know Chelsea are keen to get them off their books.

Filip Jorgensen wants game time, and Maresca did not exactly close the door on allowing him to leave when asked on his situation last week, but I’m hearing Chelsea aren’t keen on changing up their goalkeeping options mid-season.

Shim Mheuka would like some senior minutes sooner rather than later and that would have to come at a different club.