With the festive period about to start in the Premier League and the winter transfer window in a few weeks time, all the clubs will be devising a plan on which players to target. Chelsea will also be among the host of clubs in search of quality players to strengthen their squad in pursuit of Premier League and Champions League titles.
Antonio Conte’s side have not had an ideal start to the season, yet they are placed 3rd in the Premier League table and have also qualified for Champions League’s round of 16. Our Italian manager might have identified the areas that need strengthening in January, to challenge for all trophies.
However, it may not be possible to sign world-class players midway through the season and accordingly, he has to construct a proper transfer plan. Conte, before taking a dip in the transfer market would look to ensure that his key players sign contract extensions as early as possible.
Keeping that in mind, the manager will be trying to persuade our goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who is one of the key players at the club, to sign a new contract as quickly as possible. He has been heavily tracked by European champions Real Madrid. (Marca)
It comes as no surprises to see Real wanting to sign Courtois, as the Belgian is considered to be among one of the best goalkeepers across Europe. The shot-stopper only has a contract until the end of the 2018/19 season and the Blues have been trying to pin the 25-year-old down to a long-term deal. If we want Courtois to stay, our board simply has to pour in more money.
Another player tracked by Real is Eden Hazard, and we just cannot afford to let go of our best player, at any cost. (Diario Gol)
The Belgian showcased why he is one of the best players in Europe currently as he helped Chelsea earn a point against Atletico Madrid in Champions League on Tuesday. When Hazard is on song, then there is no stopping him.
It is an open secret both Hazard and Real manager Zinedine Zidane share mutual respect between each other and if Conte wants to avoid our prized asset’s departure from the club, he has to tie him down to a bumper deal. Hazard’s current contract runs until the end of the 2019/20 season.
In terms of January incomings, Conte might go for Juventus left wing-back Alex Sandro, whom he missed out on in the summer. (BBC)
Chelsea have a lack of depth in the left wing-back position with Marcos Alonso being the only natural option. There is no back-up for him and with the Christmas period about to start, Conte will aim to sign a player, thereby keeping the Spaniard fresh and running.
In that case, Sandro could be an enticing option but Juventus will be reluctant to let go of their star midway through the season despite knowing that the Brazilian wants to leave the club for a fresh challenge.
In addition, Conte is seemingly not happy with Alvaro Morata’s backup Michy Batshuayi and wants to sign a free-scoring striker. The Italian manager has opted to play Hazard up top with Morata, and despite the excellence of the duo, he should favour signing another striker.
There were reports in summer suggesting that the Blues were interested in signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Dortmund. (Guardian)
The move never happened and Aubameyang chose to stay with the German club. Now that Dortmund have crashed out of the Champions League, there is a realistic hope of luring the Gabon international to Stamford Bridge in January and Conte just cannot afford to let this opportunity slip.