Chelsea endured their worst ever start to a Premier League season in 2015-16 and needed a good January transfer window to breathe new life into their campaign - but did the Blues make waves in the market this winter?
John Stones was touted for Stamford Bridge once again, Brazilian star Alex Teixeira was mooted as a potential recruit and even Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy was mentioned as a transfer target, however the reality was only two additions were made and a raft of players headed out.
It was a low-key window for more than just Chelsea though as Premier League clubs spent just over £100million on new players in January, with Newcastle United the biggest gamblers as they shelled out nearly £30million on Jonjo Shelvey, Andros Townsend and Henri Saivet.
In fact, the biggest signing made on deadline day was not that of a player, but a manager, as Manchester City revealed that will be rolling out the red carpet for Bayern Munich’s master tactician Pep Guardiola in the summer as Manuel Pellegrini waves goodbye to the Etihad.
Here’s a look back at how the January transfer window unfolded for Chelsea.
What did Chelsea need?
Chelsea’s top priority this January was to find a top goalscorer to help ease the burden on Diego Costa up front.
Costa’s lack of form had been one of the key reasons for the club’s’ early-season failings under Jose Mourinho, eventually leading to the Special One’s dismissal.
The striker has looked a man re-born since Guus Hiddink’s arrival but the Dutch coach admitted the club have become too reliant on the Spanish international and needed more firepower.
John Terry, who recently announced he will be leaving the club at the end of the season , also needs to be replaced sooner rather than later.
A marquee signing would also have lifted some of the lingering gloom and helped in their push for Champions League qualification.
What did Chelsea get?
Only two signings were made and the new arrivals were names that nobody would have expected to pitch up in west London this winter.
Alexandre Pato joined from Corinthians in a loan deal in a bid to solve the striker problem but the Brazilian’s best days are surely behind him.
That leaves the Blues with four strikers on the books as neither Radamel Falcao or Loic Remy left before yesterday’s deadline, although the Colombian misfit still could head to China this month.
Matt Miazga was Chelsea’s other recruit as the USA international joined from New York Red Bulls in a surprise hop across the pond.
The move for Miazga certainly has commercial benefits to the club, with Chelsea looking to grow their brand in North America, but it remains to be seen if he can command a first-team spot.
He will remain with the group rather than be shipped out on loan but don’t rule out the possibility of him being sent elsewhere next season to gain experience.
Have Chelsea strengthened?
Are Chelsea stronger than they were before the transfer window opened? No, not unless Pato turns his career around in the capital.
The sale of Ramires, who moved to the Far East, represents another piece of good business and helped the Blues finish up £21.5million in profit for the month.
But while he was never a key player for Chelsea, Ramires was a useful squad option to have and his departure will only weaken the team given no replacement was signed.
Miazga could develop into a world-beater but he won’t be a regular feature in Hiddink’s starting XIs between now and the end of the season.
Terry’s revelations could prove to be the most harmful developments at the Bridge this month as he begins what seems destined to be a long farewell to the SW6 faithful.
His impending departure could either leave him hell-bent on going out on a high but could equally prove disheartening for the rest of the squad as they prepare to lose their captain.
All of Chelsea’s ins and outs
In: Alexandre Pato (Corinthians, Loan), Matt Miazga (New York Red Bulls).
Out: Ramires (Jiangsu Suning, £25million), Papy Djilobodji (Werder Bremen, loan), Alex Kiwomya (Fleetwood, loan), Charly Musonda (Real Betis, loan), Patrick Bamford (Norwich, loan), Christian Atsu (Malaga, loan), Mitchell Beeney (Newport, loan), Marco van Ginkel (PSV, loan).
Missed deadline day? Recap all of the day's events with our transfer blog.
