Chelsea are said to be chasing Sporting duo Ousmane Diomande and Viktor Gyokeres ahead of the January transfer window and could be forced to pay a staggering £156million to prise them both away from Portugal. The Blues have also been tipped to cash in on Conor Gallagher, with Tottenham on the hunt for his signature. And Express Sport takes a look at how Chelsea could line up during the second half of the campaign if Chelsea owner Todd Boehly completes yet more transfer business over the winter.
Goalkeeper – Sanchez
Robert Sanchez has been far from convincing in the Chelsea goal since joining the club from Brighton in the summer and has kept just three Premier League clean sheets this season. The 26-year-old is currently sidelined with a knee injury, with Djordje Petrovic filling in for him. But Sanchez will be hoping to reclaim his place when he returns to fitness.
Defence – James, Diomande, Colwill, Chilwell
Chelsea have endured their fair share of injury problems this season, with full-backs Reece James and Ben Chilwell also out of action at present. James has had a miserable time with injuries in recent seasons but is one of the Blues’ best players and will slot in at right-back whenever he is fit. Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino will also be looking to make the most of Chilwell’s sweet left foot when the former Leicester man is available again.
According to The Evening Standard, Chelsea have made contact with Sporting over a move for Diomande and have been told they must meet his £69m release clause.
The 20-year-old Ivory Coast international has starred in the Portuguese top-flight and the Europa League this season and could help shore up the Chelsea backline if he does move to England. The ace could take his place alongside Levi Colwill at the heart of the Blues backline if the Englishman can establish himself ahead of Axel Disasi in the pecking order though also has Thiago Silva and Benoit Badiashile to compete with.
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Midfield – Caicedo, Fernandez
Chelsea shelled out £107m to sign Enzo Fernandez last January, before splashing a fee that could rise to £115m in exchange for Moises Caicedo in the summer. Neither player has yet hit the form in a Chelsea shirt that persuaded the Blues to pay such figures for them. But they are both prodigious talents who have the potential to be outstanding Premier League players.
Pochettino could put his wholehearted faith in Fernandez and Caicedo and move away from Gallagher, who has impressed this season. And if the Argentine manager can get the best out of the duo during the second half of the season, the west London giants could storm up the Premier League table.
Forwards – Mudryk, Nkunku, Palmer, Gyokeres
Chelsea are blessed with a litter of attacking talent due to Boehly’s propensity to spend big in the transfer market. And if the players can gel as a unit, Premier League defences will struggle to contain them.
Sporting want Chelsea to pay Gyokeres’ full £87m release clause to obtain him, despite the fact they signed him from Coventry for around £17.5m in the summer. And if the Blues get their hands on the 25-year-old striker, he could line up alongside Christopher Nkunku up front. Meanwhile, Mykhaylo Mudryk and Cole Palmer could provide further attacking impetus, with Pochettino spoilt for choice in the final third of the pitch given he also has Raheem Sterling.