Predicting Chelsea's transfer activity has become a notoriously difficult task in recent years. The club's approach has swung from periods of quiet inactivity to spells of chaotic, record-breaking spending, with mixed results on the pitch.
Four Moves for a Perfect January
As the January 2026 transfer window approaches, the need for strategic action at Stamford Bridge is clear. Despite showing flashes of title-challenging form, Enzo Maresca's squad remains a work in progress, with injuries and inconsistent performances exposing key weaknesses. For Chelsea to secure a top-four finish and push for trophies, a decisive window is required. Here is a blueprint for a dream January.
Securing an £80m Playmaker
The recent injury to star man Cole Palmer served as a major wake-up call for the Blues. While the squad is not short of attacking options, it lacks genuine creative number tens who can orchestrate play from central areas. After briefly considering Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo, Chelsea have rightly shifted focus towards a more technical solution.
The ideal candidate is Barcelona's Fermin Lopez. The 22-year-old Spaniard was heavily linked with a move to West London in the summer of 2025, but a deal failed to materialise. Since then, Lopez has been in electric form in La Liga, demonstrating the precise blend of vision and goal threat from midfield that Chelsea sorely miss without Palmer. Reports suggest Barcelona would demand a fee of at least £80 million, a significant sum but one that could prove a worthwhile investment.
Disrupting Liverpool's Defensive Plans
Nothing enhances a transfer window quite like gaining an advantage over a direct rival. Liverpool came close to signing Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi last summer, only for the deal to collapse at the last minute. It is now widely reported that the Reds have a 'gentleman's agreement' to sign the defender on a free transfer when his contract expires in the summer of 2026.
Chelsea, however, possess the financial power to ruin those plans. With Levi Colwill still injured, the need for defensive reinforcement is urgent. A substantial cash offer in January could convince Palace to sell early, solving Chelsea's immediate crisis while leaving Liverpool empty-handed. As a Cobham academy graduate, Guehi's leadership and familiarity with the club would make for a seamless transition.
Resolving the Sterling Situation
A perfect window is not solely about new arrivals; it also involves prudent housekeeping. The situation surrounding Raheem Sterling has become an awkward issue for the club. The forward has not featured for the first team in months, instead training with the reserves while collecting a significant salary.
Finding a resolution, whether through a cut-price permanent transfer or a loan deal that covers his wages, is essential to maintain harmony and free up resources. Moving Sterling on would represent a crucial step in streamlining the squad.
A Short-Term Goalkeeping Upgrade
Chelsea's search for a consistently elite goalkeeper has persisted for nearly a decade. While Robert Sanchez has been solid, doubts remain over whether he possesses the world-class quality needed for the highest level. This makes AC Milan's Mike Maignan a compelling target.
Maignan was a top summer target, but Chelsea hesitated due to his expiring contract. With Milan now desperate to avoid losing him for nothing in 2026, the conditions are ripe for a cut-price deal or a short-term loan. This move would provide an immediate upgrade without blocking the long-term path for highly-rated youngster Mike Penders, who is currently excelling on loan at Strasbourg. Maignan's potential heroics could be the difference in securing crucial points or winning a penalty shootout.
Executing these four moves would address Chelsea's most pressing concerns in creative midfield, central defence, squad balance, and goalkeeping, setting the stage for a strong second half of the 2025/26 season.
