Chelsea January briefing: who are they after, what do they need, who might leave

Chelsea fans can never rest during the transfer window - there's always something going on or another player coming in.

Still on the outskirts of the title race and only the Europa Conference League - which they could cruise, and are cruising, with their B team - and FA Cup to distract them in the new year, this could be the time to really go for it and fill any holes in the squad while Manchester City are floundering and Arsenal are not quite firing on all cylinders.

So who will they sign in January? Who could be headed for the exit? And are they in a good position to pass financial rules this season?

As part of our transfer briefing series looking at Premier League clubs ahead of the transfer window, our Chelsea expert Kieran Gill answers the five big questions for the Blues.

1. What do Chelsea need?

The area which Chelsea could most do with bolstering is central defence.

They have one of their own in Levi Colwill manning the back line, but next to him, Tosin Adarabioyo is filling in amid injuries to Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile.

Fans will tell you they need a new goalkeeper but Chelsea have full faith in Robert Sanchez as their No 1 and Filip Jorgensen as their No 2.

The club are also perfectly pleased with their striker setup, with Nicolas Jackson ahead of Christopher Nkunku and Marc Guiu, the 18-year-old who is currently the top scorer in the Conference League with six goals in just 284 minutes played.

2. Do they have money to spend?

This is Chelsea we're talking about! Of course they have money to spend!

Do not forget that the club were in the market for a striker in the summer and did not get one despite negotiating over Victor Osimhen on deadline day, so that tells you they were ready to part with more millions.

The Blues are privately insistent they are careful when it comes to profit and sustainability considerations and sit safely within its parameters – even without having nailed down a shirt sponsor for this season.

3. Which players are they interested in?

Benfica centre back Tomas Araujo was admired but the 22-year-old Portuguese has now signed a new contract until 2029 with the Portuguese club, so he is not set to be the answer to Chelsea's defensive issues.

From the conversations I've had, we should not be anticipating major movements from the Blues in January.

Chelsea are fairly satisfied with their squad as it stands and would be willing to wait until the summer before making big changes.

Ipswich's Liam Delap is a forward they admire but again, they are likely to have to wait until the end of the season to try for him.

4. Who might leave?

Nkunku is rumoured to be frustrated by his lack of first-team action.

That may be the case, but do not expect to see Chelsea sanction his exit in January. If Jackson picked up a problem, Nkunku would be needed, so he will have to swallow any unhappiness for now.

Ben Chilwell and Carney Chukwuemeka will be among the first up for grabs once the window opens, along with others such as Cesare Casadei and Harvey Vale.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall could also be allowed to leave on loan despite only signing for £30million in the summer from Leicester.

5. What unexpected moves should fans keep an eye on?

Cobham! Josh Acheampong and Tyrique George have been permanently promoted to the first team from the academy.

That could save them millions, particularly with George stepping in at a time when Mykhailo Mudryk is suspended from football after failing a drugs test.

Others such as Kiano Dyer, Shim Mheuka, Sam Rak-Sakyi and Harrison Murray-Campbell will try to force their way in also.