Mauricio Pochettino could reignite Chelsea's chances of securing a Champions League qualification spot with just two signings this month. The Blues have struggled to climb the Premier League table this season and risk missing out on European football for a second successive campaign.
Chelsea currently sit 10th in the English top-flight on just 28 points after 20 games, while Arsenal and Tottenham sit fourth and fifth respectively. The January transfer window is expected to be a bit quieter than last winter when Todd Boehly forked out almost £200million on Enzo Fernandez and Mykhailo Mudryk alone, but the west Londoners are in dire need of a catalyst.
A catalyst which could well be the arrival of two big names. So, with that being said, football.london has taken a look at how Chelsea could lineup at the end of the January transfer window if Boehly grants Pochettino a war chest of funds...
Formation
Chelsea have looked their best with Christopher Nkunku in the number ten role. In order to get the best out of the former RB Leipzig forward, Pochettino should operate a 4-2-3-1 – not only will he be granted the freedom to roam the final third but the Blues will also be given sufficient protection by a double pivot.
Defence
Neither Robert Sanchez or Djordje Petrovic have put a foot wrong since arriving in the summer, but the same cannot be said about Chelsea's backline. Ideally, with Ben Chilwell out injured and Marc Cucurella unimpressive, Ian Maatsen would've been given a run of games at left-back but, instead, he's been shipped out on loan to Borussia Dortmund.
So, the west Londoners should look to sign a new left-back. Alejandro Grimaldo, who is one of the most in-form players in Europe at the moment would be an excellent option. The 28-year-old defender has featured 16 times for Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga this season, scoring seven goals and providing six assists.
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At centre-half, Pochettino should operate a partnership of Levi Colwill and Benoit Badiashile. While the Cobham graduate would benefit immensely from playing alongside Thiago Silva, the veteran defender sees his contract expire at the end of the season and Chelsea could do with some stability.
Midfield
Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez can offer Chelsea great balance in the middle of the park, but they'll need support from their full-backs in wide spaces. With Nkunku in the No.1 role, Palmer can operate on the right-wing with Noni Madueke playing understudy.
With the former Manchester City star cutting inside onto his left foot, Reece James or Malo Gusto will be encouraged to overlap. Pochettino has a wealth of options across midfield with Romeo Lavia more than capable of replacing either Caicedo or Fernandez, and Mykhailo Mudryk battling Raheem Sterling for a place on the left-wing.
Attack
Neither Nicolas Jackson or Armando Broja have necessarily set the Premier League alight this season, but the former has certainly showed great potential. However, potential doesn't win points so Chelsea should do everything it takes to sign Victor Osimhen – a proven goalscorer.
football.london understands that the Blues wanted to sign the 25-year-old in the summer, but Napoli were determined to hold onto their striker – so Jackson was signed from Villarreal instead. It's believed that Chelsea viewed the Nigeria international as somebody who could have transformed the club's misfortunes in front of goal but, without Champions League qualification, any bid to sign him proved difficult.
Despite having recently signed a contract extension in Naples, football.london understands that they're still interested in Osimhen. It remains to be seen whether the west Londoners will lodge a bid but, as they slip down the Premier League table, they may be inclined to act sooner rather than later.
Starting Line-up: Sanchez; James, Badiashile, Colwill, Grimaldo; Caicedo, Fernandez; Palmer, Nkunku, Mudryk; Osimhen.