'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Despite making one of the most expensive squad overhauls in recent history, Chelsea have blown hot and cold this season, especially in the Premier League.
In the aftermath of a 2-0 loss against reigning champions Liverpool, Chelsea embarked on a nine-game unbeaten run that saw them emerge as one of the darkhorses for the league title. However, the Blues lost four of their next six games to slip to ninth in the league table.
Chelsea's dip in fortunes has a lot to do with the underwhelming returns of a plethora of players, especially some of their summer arrivals. This means the club need to dip into the transfer market in January to arrest their slide in fortune.
Four players who could arrive at Chelsea in January
Despite the impressive early form exhibited by new goalkeeper Edouard Mendy and the exploits of Olivier Giroud, Chelsea have largely been underwhelming since mid-December.
The Blues are far away from winning the league title in one of the most open seasons in Premier League history.
Defeats against Everton, Wolves, Arsenal and Manchester City have meant that Chelsea face a battle even to qualify for the top four.
So, without further ado, let us have a look at four players whose arrival could rejuvenate the club.
#4 David Alaba
David Alaba is arguably one of the biggest 'big-name' players who is set to become a free agent in the summer, with a plethora of big clubs, including Chelsea, reportedly interested in the player's services.
The 28-year-old centre-back, who has won domestic and continental honours galore with Bayern Munich, is in the final year of his contract with the Bavarian giants.
After protracted contract negotiations between both parties failed to break a stalemate, Bayern Munich have reportedly withdrawn their contract extension offer for Alaba, a development that has alerted many top clubs from around the continent.
Bayern Munich president Herbert Hainer said in this regard:
"Our sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic contacted (Alaba's) agent, and the answer was that the offer is still unsatisfying, and that we should think more. We then decided to take the offer off the table completely. That means there is no longer any offer.”
Alaba remains a key player for Bayern Munich but is increasingly unlikely to feature for the club beyond the summer.
Although the 28-year-old is unlikely to arrive at Chelsea in January, the Blues could sign a pre-contract agreement with the player.
However, Chelsea face competition from the likes of Real Madrid, Juventus and PSG for the services of Alaba.
#3 Mohamed Simakan
Mohamed Simakan is one of the most promising young defenders in the game, and Chelsea could snap him up at a relative bargain.
The Blues have kept only one clean sheet in seven Premier League games since their goalless draw against Tottenham Hotspur, so they are in the market for defensive personnel.
Interestingly, Simakan was reportedly offered to Chelsea in the summer, but the move did not happen.
The 20-year-old could still arrive at Stamford Bridge in January, as Strasbourg are in financial distress owing to the COVID-19 pandemic and are looking to jettison a few players.
With the futures of the likes of Andreas Christensen, Antonio Rudiger and Fikayo Tomori far from certain, and Thiago Silva not getting any younger,Frank Lampard could start rejigging his rearguard with the signing of Simakan.
However, the Strasbourg first-team regular, who has already made 18 league appearances this term, is also being pursued by RB Leipzig and AC Milan.
#2 Moises Caicedo
Moises Caicedo, a highly-touted Ecuadorean midfielder, is on the radar of several top clubs in the continent.
Recently, Chelsea have entered the fray for the services of the 19-year-old, joining the likes of Manchester United, Everton and Ajax.
Caicedo, who has scored six goals for Independiente del Valle and also netted one for Ecuador, has impressed with his maturity and could be a fabulous addition to the Chelsea roster.
#1 Declan Rice
Declan Rice, who started out in the Chelsea academy at the tender age of six, is one of the most sought-after young English midfielders.
Now at West Ham United, where he rose up the ranks to become one of the standout players for the club's first team, Rice has more than made up for his disappointment of missing out at Chelsea.
Rice is only 21 but has already made over 100 Premier League appearances for the Hammers, impressing with his ability to break up play and also scoring the odd goal.
Rice, who recently made his England debut, could soon reunite with his good friend and fellow Chelsea academy graduate Mason Mount at Stamford Bridge, as Frank Lampard is reportedly interested in the services of his younger compatriot.
