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Chelsea are in a state of bother and need reinforcements in the January transfer window. Thomas Tuchel has a big squad, but the last few weeks have proved that the drop in quality on the bench is significant.
The Blues have been linked with a few star players this upcoming window. However, the number of transfers that could happen is very likely to depend on how many players first leave the club.
Chelsea do not have enough space in the squad to keep adding talent without letting go of deadwood. Tuchel has a busy week ahead as he plans for the window and works on getting his team back on track.
Here are 5 players who have been linked with January moves to Chelsea:
#5 Eden Hazard
Eden Hazard left Chelsea in 2019 after winning the UEFA Europa League and sealed his dream move to Real Madrid. He is not enjoying football anymore at the Santiago Bernabeu, and it is mainly down to him not getting enough chances and his unfortunate injury record. Vinicius Jr. is in red-hot form, and Carlo Ancelotti has no reason to drop the Brazilian.
Reports suggest the Belgian is open to leaving Madrid, and Chelsea have been linked. The Blues are said to be interested in making a move, but the majority of those reports have come from Spain.
None of the reliable sources in England have suggested Chelsea are interested in re-signing their former player in January. Things could change quickly as the Blues need a creative player, and if the Belgian becomes available on loan, the move could be ideal for all parties.
Newcastle United have also been linked with a move for Hazard, while clubs in France and Germany are also keeping tabs on him.
#4 - Maxence Lacroix
Antonio Rudiger, Cesar Azpilicueta and Andreas Christensen are yet to pen new deals at Chelsea. Thomas Tuchel is keen on keeping the trio at the club for the upcoming season, but things are not looking good at the moment.
Maxence Lacroix is one of the names linked with Chelsea as a possible replacement for Rudiger if the German does not pen a new deal. The Wolfsburg centre-back is reportedly seen as the alternative to Jules Kounde if Sevilla continue to demand nearly €80 million for the Frenchman.
ESPN claim Lacroix and Lille's Sven Botman are the top targets right now for the centre-back role, but any move for the latter will take place only in the summer.
#3 Attila Szalai
Earlier this month, Hungary boss Marco Rossi stunned football fans when he claimed Attila Szalai was moving to Chelsea. He added the defender's move was a done deal, but Fenerbahce has rebuffed his claims.
"It's hard to name just one player, but right now I see very well Attila Szalai, who plays for Fenerbahce, but I think he is joining Chelsea. Clearly, he has been followed by important clubs in Spain, but apparently his move to Chelsea is a done deal. He would be a great player also for Italian football."
While the 'done deal' part has been rejected, Chelsea's interest in Szalai is reportedly still on. The Blues see the defender as a possible long-term replacement for Thiago Silva, who could pen a new deal for another season at Stamford Bridge.
Sevilla and Atletico Madrid are also said to be interested in the Hungarian defender.
#2 Jules Kounde
Chelsea tried to sign Jules Kounde in the summer and had a deal agreed with Sevilla. However, the Spanish club had set a deadline for the transfer to take place, and the Blues did not take it seriously.
Sevilla ended up increasing their asking price when Chelsea went back for the Frenchman, and that saw the Blues walk away from the deal. However, reports suggest Kounde could still be on his way to Stamford Bridge as the two clubs are in talks regarding a January move.
ESPN claim Sevilla are looking for €50-60 million for their star defender who has just over two years left on his contract. The 23-year-old has already agreed terms with Chelsea and has a contract offer of 4-5 years on the table.
#1 Lucas Digne
Ben Chilwell's injury has forced Thomas Tuchel to experiment at left wing-back as Marcos Alonso is unable to deliver in every single game. The German manager has played Saul Niguez, Reece James, Christian Pulisic and Callum Hudson-Odoi in the left wing-back position, but none have been convincing.
Lucas Digne is out of favor at Everton and has been linked with a move to Chelsea. Sunday Mirror (via Metro) claim the Blues are fighting Leicester City and Newcastle United for the Frenchman's signature in the January transfer window.
If Chelsea do manage to sign Digne, Chilwell is very likely to go ahead with his surgery. The Frenchman will have to play second-fiddle once the former Leicester man is back. Since Alonso is very likely to be shipped out next summer, he will take the second left-back spot following the Spaniard's departure.
