Chelsea Eyes Major January Signings: Centre-Back and Striker Targets Revealed
Chelsea are expected to remain quiet regarding new signings during the January transfer window, according to reports, and will concentrate their attention on player departures instead.
The Blues maintained their usual busy approach throughout the summer, bringing in João Pedro, Jamie Gittens, Alejandro Garnacho, Jorrel Hato and Liam Delap alongside the previously arranged signings of Estêvão, Kendry Páez, Mamadou Sarr and Dário Essugo.
The summer window concluded without fulfilling manager Enzo Maresca's desire for additional centre-back reinforcement, and Sky Sports News indicates this situation will likely persist in January.
Although Chelsea have faced limited options at centre-back recently, there's confidence that most positional concerns are temporary. Trevoh Chalobah has completed his suspension and Wesley Fofana has returned to training following his concussion-related absence. Tosin Adarabioyo is anticipated to return after the international fixtures and will assume a key role covering for Levi Colwill, who faces an extended period out.
Hato can operate at centre-back alongside Benoît Badiashile and Josh Acheampong, both of whom sustained injuries against Liverpool, and Chelsea feel confident about their depth moving forward even without considering young loan players Sarr and Aarón Anselmino.
Likewise, no goalkeeper acquisition is planned. Confidence remains high in both Robert Sánchez and backup Filip Jörgensen, while expectations are positive for 20-year-old Mike Penders following his strong performances during his loan spell with Strasbourg.
Tyrique George Among Players Heading for Exits
Even with some transfer funds still available, Chelsea's January priorities are anticipated to center on player sales.
Raheem Sterling and Axel Disasi, who continue to be excluded from the squad following unsuccessful summer departure attempts, represent the primary targets for exits. Both received summer offers but rejected the opportunities presented to them.
Chelsea will renew their efforts to offload winger Tyrique George, who was set to complete a £22 million ($29.6 million) transfer to Fulham before the deal fell through late on Deadline Day.
2025–26 Chelsea stats
The youth product has functioned as a substitute striker this campaign but Chelsea consider George mainly as a winger, where Garnacho, Gittens, Estêvão and Pedro Neto all rank above him in the hierarchy. Sporting CP youngster Geovany Quenda is also set to arrive next summer.
George has received substantial playing time compared to striker Marc Guiu, who was brought back just weeks into his Sunderland loan to cover for the injured Delap. There are no intentions to send the 19-year-old out on loan in January despite Delap's approaching return.