The 10 January 'signings' Chelsea and Sarri have already made

The Blues are heading into a very busy period over the festive period

Maurizio Sarri is not one to rotate his players but with a packed festive period for Chelsea coming over the next few months it might be something he is going to have do more of.

After the international break, the Blues will have 11 matches in all competitions before the New Year, making it a tricky period that will then filter into how January and February will be shaped.

It will also mean that a lot of players will have a lot of hours in their legs and Sarri might well have to look to the full entirety of his squad before and after Christmas.

Sarri is also a head coach that is not one for the transfer market and prefers to coach the players at his disposal.

"I feel much more a pitch manager, a field manager than a general manager," Sarri said when he first joined the club in July.

"I think I'm one of the few managers who is bored by the transfer market. I don't want to talk about it and I'm not that interested in it. Our task as managers is growing the players we have."

So who are those players on the fringe of the squad that Sarri will have to be using and may feel like new 'signings' to the first team?

Ethan Ampadu

Appearances this season - 0

It is strange when a player plays so much more for their international team then they do for their club side, but that has very much been the case for Welshman Ethan Ampadu.

One that impressed during pre-season at centre-back, however the 18-year-old has not been given any game time yet in all competitions and he has had to bide his time sitting on the bench.

With his ability to play at centre-back or defensive midfield, Ampadu is a very useful squad player to have. However, the youngster might well make a move out on loan in January, but if Sarri keeps him around he could be decent player to use.

Gary Cahill

Appearances this season - 1 (off the bench)

It feels a little like Chelsea are moving on from Gary Cahill but his superb service and what he has done for the club since he joined almost seven years ago cannot be forgotten.

The defender has been used in the Europa League and the Carabao Cup, while Sarri believes he still has a vital role to play throughout the rest of the campaign, like John Terry did in his final season at the Blues.

"Cahill, it depends on him," Sarri said at the beginning of November. "He played very often in the last seven or eight matches. I don’t know. It depends on him and the club. For me Cahill is very important on the pitch and out of the pitch."

Andreas Christensen

Appearances this season - 0

The one real disappointment this season as Andreas Christensen, who was so good last season, has not even had a look-in during the campaign so far with David Luiz and Antonio Rudiger being consistent.

However, you feel that is one of those centre-backs picks up an injury then Christensen would be the man to come into the fold and take their places.

The 22-year-old has struggled for form when he has been given the chance to play, but the defender might still play a very key role when the fixtures come thick and fast.

Danny Drinkwater

Appearances this season - 0

This season has been a complete blowout for the former Premier League winner with no appearances in any competition since the Community Shield.

The 28-year-old has not fitted in to Sarri's system whatsoever, with the Italian head coach even admitting that he didn't think the Englishman can play with two other midfielders.

There are going to have to be quite a few injuries for Drinkwater to actually get his chance to play, and being sold in January could certainly be on the cards.

Emerson

Appearances this season - 0

With the form of Marcos Alonso, Emerson Palmieri is not going to get much of a look-in over the Spaniard, however there is always the chance that the Italy international might get his shot.

All that is needed is Alonso to pick up an injury or get suspended, something that happened last season, and Emerson is the first choice to step into those boots on the left.

It hasn't been a great time for the left-back since joining the Blues with little game time to his name, however he has shown a lot of promising things when he does get his chance.

Cesc Fabregas

Appearances this season - 3 (off the bench)

Cesc Fabregas's role at the Blues has been developed since Maurizio Sarri joined the club and he has now found himself as the back-up to Jorginho in the defensive midfield role.

The 31-year-old doesn't really have the legs to play Sarri's high-pressing style as one of the flanking central midfielders, so his range of passing appears to be more suited to that sitting role.

His ability to break defences with forward passing could well be key in games that the Blues are becoming frustrated and with his contract up in the summer he is going to be looking to impress to get a new deal.

Callum Hudson-Odoi

Appearances this season - 0

A player that Chelsea fans are desperate to see more of this season after a stunning pre-season campaign and being one of the brightest players to have come through the academy.

However, the newly-turned 18-year-old has not featured at all in the Premier League and made just two late Europa League appearances so far.

The Blues have a lot of quality in the wide areas, but a couple of injuries and Hudson-Odoi might get his shot if he is not sent out on loan.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek

Appearances this season - 3 (off the bench)

Another disappointment for Chelsea fans this season is not seeing much more of Ruben Loftus-Cheek after his impressive year on loan at Crystal Palace.

However, he has found himself behind both Mateo Kovacic and Ross Barkley in the pecking order for the third midfield spot and at the moment he doesn't look like taking that place.

But there is still potential for more from Loftus-Cheek with Sarri stating that he has improved in the tactical aspect of the game and can develop even more to become a key member of the team.

Victor Moses

Appearances this season - 2 (off the bench)

Victor Moses looks like he is going to suffer the same fate as Drinkwater with Sarri saying publicly that Moses is more suited as a wing-back, a position that Sarri doesn't use.

Moses has been a back-up winger but really he hasn't looked like he is going to be playing much of a role in the future and is somewhat blocking the path of the younger players.

Davide Zappacosta

Appearances this season - 1 (off the bench)

Davide Zappacosta is in a very similar situation to Emerson in that it is unlikely that he is going to get a starting spot at right-back with Cesar Azpilicueta holding the place.

With the Spaniard being skipper when he's on the pitch, Zappacosta isn't going to get much of a chance and his performances when he has played in the Europa League and Carabao Cup haven't been enough.

However, Azpilicueta hasn't been in superb form either, so Zappacosta might have to be ready should the Spaniard pick up an injury or pick up a suspension.

The one who won't get his chance... Lucas Piazon

Appearances - 0

You have to feel some sympathy for Piazon who was denied to be sold in the summer and has instead been around the first team squad but not even close to looking like getting a game.

Not in the matchday squads for any games so far and merely watching from the stands, something that doesn't look like it is going to change any time soon.

A departure, either on loan or sold, in January is very likely and he will most likely have no influence on the rest of the season.