Chilwell? Sancho? Zaha? - Who will Chelsea sign in January?

With Frank Lampard's side now free to sign players in January, we take a look at who Chelsea could acquire next month.

Published : Dec 07, 2019 12:12 IST

Jadon Sancho would form a lethal attacking trio with Callum Hudson-Odoi and Christian Pulisic if he joins Chelsea.
Jadon Sancho would form a lethal attacking trio with Callum Hudson-Odoi and Christian Pulisic if he joins Chelsea.
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Jadon Sancho would form a lethal attacking trio with Callum Hudson-Odoi and Christian Pulisic if he joins Chelsea.

Chelsea can press on with its January plans after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) halved he side's transfer ban on Friday.

The Blues were barred by FIFA from registering new players for two successive windows in February, having been found guilty of breaching rules relating to the international transfer and registration of players under the age of 18.

RELATED| Chelsea set to look for new signings in January after transfer ban cut

However, CAS has reduced that ban to one window, which the Blues have already served, giving Frank Lampard the green light to make fresh acquisitions next month.

We take a look at who could be arriving at Stamford Bridge during the mid-season market.

BEN CHILWELL

Left-back would seem the obvious place to start for Lampard. Club captain Cesar Azpilicueta and Emerson Palmieri have been deployed there this season, but the latter has been linked with a move to Juventus.

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Ben Chilwell in action for Leicester City.
 

With Marcos Alonso out of favour and Azpilicueta now 30, Chelsea might want a younger option in line with the parts of their first team now thriving.

Leicester City's Chilwell, 22, fits the bill, although he would not come cheap. Valencia's Jose Gaya is another mooted target who would likely command a smaller fee.

JADON SANCHO

Willian and Pedro are both out of contract at the end of the season and they appear destined to depart. Teenager Callum Hudson-Odoi will be expected to have a bigger role and Christian Pulisic has impressed in recent weeks, but Lampard would welcome more attacking firepower.

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Ben Chilwell, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Jadon Sancho have played together for the England national team.
 

Borussia Dortmund winger Sancho's time in Germany seems close to ending and the Londoner might relish a return to the capital. However, if Sancho is to depart over the next two windows, Chelsea will be in a long line of interested suitors.

WILFRIED ZAHA

A move away from Crystal Palace failed to materialise in the close-season window for Zaha. The former Manchester United winger is undoubtedly talented and proven in the Premier League.

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Wilfried Zaha wanted a transfer before the start of the Premier League season but neither a move to Premier League rivals Arsenal nor Everton materialised after Crystal Palace held firm.
 

However, Zaha's situation is complicated by the fact he signed a five-year contract in 2018. Arsenal and Everton were reportedly keen a few months before the demises of Unai Emery and Marco Silva, but Chelsea represents a more attractive option.

NATHAN AKE

Fikayo Tomori and Kurt Zouma have been Lampard's preferred central-defensive partners, though the Blues have kept just three Premier League clean sheets in 2019-20.

Germany international Antonio Rudiger is due back soon but it is a former Blues defender who may be of interest in January. It is believed Chelsea included a £40million buy-back clause in Ake's deal when he was sold to Bournemouth in 2017.

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It is believed Chelsea included a £40million buy-back clause in Ake's deal when he was sold to Bournemouth in 2017.
 

As was the case with Nemanja Matic, Ake has developed considerably during his time away from Stamford Bridge and could prove a relative bargain at his buy-back price.

MOUSSA DEMBELE

With 11 goals in 14 Premier League games, Tammy Abraham has shown he is capable of leading the line. However, there are limited options behind him and they will be depleted further if Olivier Giroud, 33, leaves as expected.

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London calling for Lyon striker Moussa Dembele?
 

Lyon striker Dembele, once of Fulham and Celtic, is thought to be of interest to the Blues. The joint-top scorer in Ligue 1, Dembele is having a fine season. But would he be happy playing second fiddle to Abraham?

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