Chelsea fans can never rest during the transfer window; there is always something going on or another player coming in.
Still on the fringes of the title race and with only the Europa Conference League – which they could be cruising and cruising on with their B team – and the FA Cup to distract them in the new year, this could could be the time to really go for it and fill any gaps 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 heading for the exit? And are they in a good position to implement 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 does Chelsea need?
The area that Chelsea could strengthen the most is their central defense.
They have one of their own with Levi Colwill manning the backline, but alongside him Tosin Adarabioyo fills in due to injuries to Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile.
Fans will tell you they need a new goalkeeper, but Chelsea have full confidence in Robert Sanchez as their number 1 and Filip Jorgensen as their number 2.
The club are also very pleased with their striker lineup, 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!
Remember, the club were looking for a striker this summer and didn't get one despite negotiating for Victor Osimhen on deadline day, so that indicates they were ready to part with even more millions.
The Blues privately insist they are erring on the side of caution when it comes to profit and sustainability considerations and staying safely within limits – even without having secured 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 with the Portuguese club until 2029, so he won't be the answer to Chelsea's defensive problems.
From the conversations I've had, we shouldn't expect any major moves from the Blues in January.
Chelsea are quite happy with their squad as it stands and would be willing to wait until the summer before making any major changes.
Ipswich's Liam Delap is a striker they admire, but again they will probably have to wait until the end of the season to try for him.
4. Who could leave?
Nkunku is rumored to be frustrated by his lack of first-team action.
That may be the case, but don't expect Chelsea to approve his departure in January. If Jackson were to spot a problem, Nkunku would be needed, so he'll 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 like Cesare Casadei and Harvey Vale.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall could also leave on loan, despite signing for just £30million from Leicester in the summer.
5. What unexpected moves should fans keep an eye on?
Cobham! Josh Acheampong and Tyrique George have been permanently promoted to the academy's first team.
That could save them millions, especially 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 also try to get in.
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