Chelsea’s January transfer plans made clear by recent patterns | OneFootball

This is a syndication of an article for the BBC which was originally published here.

With January just around the corner, talk all around the Premier League has turned to the winter transfer window.

At Chelsea, all the briefings from sources close to the club have made it clear that fans shouldn’t expect too much. Of course there will be some action, but like the last couple of Januarys it will mainly be agreeing future deals and shuffling loan players around.

Unlike last year, when there were numerous players both in the first team and out on loan not getting enough playing time, the increasingly slimmed down loan group are largely well placed this time around. From the first team, Tyrique George almost left on deadline day in the summer, and while he’s still getting the occasional game, a permanent sale for him seems the most likely serious outgoing move that gets made.

Filip Jorgensen also seems to be moving towards a loan as he’s barely playing – but Chelsea are unlikely to shed their backup goalkeeper mid-season.

Chelsea need additions – but winter moves likely to stay small

Mathis Amougou trains for Chelsea for the first time!

The holes in Chelsea’s squad are still clear – a top defender, a top goalkeeper, a top striker and even another central midfielder would all help elevate this team to the next level.  But those are big deals, and it seems unlikely they happen until the summer. Furthermore, the likes of Liam Delap and Dario Essugo need more chances to prove themselves after bad injuries since signing at the start of this season.

Last year we saw a punt taken on Mathis Amougou, who was sold on in the summer. That sort of speculative buy is likely to be the biggest incoming action at Stamford Bridge next month.