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Chelsea are all set to spend big in the January transfer window as they look very keen on strengthening their squad. The Champions League holders were eliminated in the group stage this time, and they have also been going through a rough patch in the Premier League.
According to various sources, manager Rafael Benitez will be handed funds to invest in high-profile players when the transfer window opens next month. Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is ready to finance moves that have been in the pipeline even before the arrival of Benitez.
The Blues will certainly look for a number of central midfield options, as the postion has looked weak this year. Also, youngster Oriol Romeu will be out for up to six months after undergoing anterior cruciate reconstruction surgery and medial meniscus repair following a knee injury.
John Obi Mikel will not be available in January and February, as he is all set to participate in the Africans Nations Cup and Frank Lampard hasn’t been at his best. So, Chelsea will definitely welcome any strong addition to the squad.
Newcastle United midfielder Cheick Tiote is one name on their wishlist and Mike Ashley could be willing to sell him, especially if any offer was an increase on the £3.5m spent to buy the Ivory Coast international.
Paulinho - A Blue next season?
Chelsea are also targeting Corinithians’ midfielder Paulinho, since he could create an effective link between midfield and attack, and has more than his fair share of goals in him, having netted 35 in the last three seasons. The Brazilian quintet of David Luiz, Oscar, Ramires, Wallace and Lucas Piazon might influence his signing with the Blues.
Chelsea also look interested in Marouane Fellaini, but there is a possibility of Zenit St. Petersburg joining the race for the Belgian. If the Russian giants step in, then the Blues might face difficulties outbidding them.
Fellaini is set to move away from Everton, as Toffees’ chairman Bill Kenwright will find it hard to turn down offers in the excess of £30m. Chelsea already have four Belgian internationals, but Eden Hazard is the only member available with the squad, as Thibaut Courtois, Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne are out on loan at Atletico Madrid, West Brom and Werder Bremen respectively.
Chelsea’s primary target – Radamel Falcao
Radamel Falcao scored five goals for Atletico Madrid against Deportivo La Coruna, which has impressed Chelsea, who have been watching the striker for the last three months, ever since he scored a hat-trick against the Blues in the Super Cup final at Monaco.
Falcao has been on top of his game this season, netting 19 goals in 15 matches, which makes it no surprise that Abramovich sees him as their first target this season.
