Roman Abramovich has never been afraid to spend big and with Chelsea’s hopes of making the top four diminishing considerably in recent weeks it seems certain that the Russian will reach for his chequebook come January.
The reigning Premier League champions have had their worst start to a campaign since Abramovich bought the club in 2003 and with the side under-performing across the park this season there may be some drastic changes ahead.
Jose Mourinho’s boys have struggled for goals this season. Diego Costa looks a shadow of the player he was last season while injury-hit Radamel Falcao and Loic Remy have also failed to hit the mark, leading to suggestions a striker may be top of the shopping list for January.
But the problems don't just lie in the attacking third. Under Mourinho, Chelsea have always been water-tight in defence but this hasn’t been the case this term with the Blues looking shaky at the back in the lead up to Christmas.
Here’s a look at some of the players rumoured to be heading to Stamford Bridge this winter and whether they might help get Chelsea’s title and Champions League qualification ambitions back on track when the window opens.
John Stones
Another transfer window, another John Stones saga.
After missing out on their number one target last summer it appears the highly-rated centre-half may be coveted by Chelsea again as they have struggled defensively this season.
The youngster has continued to impress this term with a number of stand-out performances for Everton. He possesses all the attributes of a world class centre-back while being widely tipped as a future England captain.
Chelsea had several bids for the England defender rejected in the summer and it won’t be easy to convince Roberto Martinez to let go of one of his prized possessions.
Gonzalo Higuain
After scoring 20 league goals last season, Costa has looked more interested in controversy than finding the net this time around.
And an investment in a proven forward may be wise if Chelsea want to recover the kind of form that saw them win the title at a canter in May.
Costa has managed just three goals in 15 appearances this season while Gonzalo Higuain has netted 11 times for Napoli.
The Argentina international has been in lethal form and has attracted attention from the Premier League in the past with Arsenal being linked with a move for the forward more than once the past.
The ex-Real Madrid man has European pedigree but it would take a big-money swoop to tempt Napoli to let their talisman leave.
Antonio Candreva
Versatile winger Candreva was instrumental in Italy’s win over England at the Rio World Cup as one of England’s best left backs, Leighton Baines, was unable to get close to the Lazio man.
The skillful Italian can play on either the left or right of midfield and is extremely quick and agile, possessing a goalscoring touch to combine with his impressive trickery.
The international has 31 league goals in 116 appearances for Lazio since signing in 2012 and, at 28-years-old, he may be tempted to test himself in the Premier League sooner rather than later.
Goncalo Guedes
Benfica’s latest starlet Goncalo Guedes has all the potential to develop into a top player.
According to Portuguese reports Mourinho has watched Guedes play five times this season although the Portugal under-21 international supposedly has a £40m release clause.
The 18-year-old has netted four times in 12 appearances this season and after a number of eye catching performances this term he has earned his first call up to the senior squad.
Perhaps, Guedes is one for the longer term but his capture would certainly created a much-needed buzz in SW6.
Ruben Neves
Ruben Neves is quickly becoming one of Europe’s hottest properties.
Mourinho has seen his talents first hand this term as the teenager tormented the Blues in a Champions League win over Chelsea at the Estadio Dragao in September.
He has risen through the ranks at the Dragao and set numerous records along the way, becoming the club’s youngest ever league scorer at the age of 17 and Porto’s youngest Champions League player.
Liverpool and Juventus have also registered and interested but the lure of working with Mourinho would no doubt appeal to Neves, whose contract runs until 2017.
Crucially, he shares an agent with Mourinho and Falcao in Jorge Mendes which could also smooth over the negotiations.
Javier Hernandez
Perhaps known more from his impact off the bench, former Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez knows where the back of the net is.
The Bayer Leverkusen player has Premier League experience from his time at Old Trafford, which ended after his loan spell at Real Madrid became a permanent move to the Bundesliga.
‘Little Pea’ has been in exceptional goal scoring form this season with 10 goals under his belt in all competitions, including four in the Champions League.
The 27-year-old Mexican only arrived in Germany last summer so Chelsea may struggle to gain his signature in this coming window but he has been linked with a move by several news outlets.
Any move for Hernandez could be seen as a bit of a gamble but with Mourinho backing Costa as his first-choice forward, the diminutive goalscorer could provide a decent secondary option.
If not, there's always Edinson Cavani!
