While for the most part this season has been a positive for Chelsea on the pitch, there are certainly areas of the squad that need to be addressed. Whether that is in the ongoing January transfer window, or in the summer, there are definitely improvements needed to take the Blues to the next level.
Champions League football is imperative for Chelsea this season, particularly when you consider the position the Blues found themselves in at Christmas time. That in itself would be a real achievement for Enzo Maresca in his debut Premier League season. And then the summer will see Chelsea look to kick on even further.
There are still some deals that can be struck between now and the February 3 transfer deadline, however, and the club are working behind the scenes to try and provide Maresca with the best possible squad. With that being said, Bobby Vincent, our Chelsea correspondent, takes a look at four signings that could transform the Blues.
Sanchez replaced
Monday evening's win against Wolves saw Robert Sanchez make his fourth mistake leading to a goal in the Premier League this season. Only Ipswich Town goalkeeper Arijanet Muric - with five - has made more errors that have led to the other team scoring since the beginning of the campaign.
Simply put, that is not good enough from Sanchez. Chelsea require a goalkeeper that can win them points - and while Sanchez has done well at points this season; most notably the penalty save in the 1-0 win at Bournemouth in September, it has been a campaign full of uncertainty in between the posts for the Blues.
His kicking is below-par for a goalkeeper in the Maresca system. There seems to be multiple occasions in virtually every game that Sanchez gets away with gifting possession to the opposition in dangerous positions on the pitch. It needs to be addressed.
However, the club have backed Sanchez up until now - as has Maresca, publicly. But if Chelsea were to go out in the transfer market and sign a proven goalkeeper; someone that could come in and completely transform the side, then this would put the Blues multiple steps forward in their long-term project.
There is of course Filip Jorgensen, who has been a bit-part player since signing for Chelsea. Jorgensen has been trusted in the UEFA Conference League for the Blues but the 22-year-old goalkeeper has only started twice in the Premier League.
Tel deal
It is clear Chelsea are looking at multiple left wingers as they look to bolster Maresca's squad following the suspension of Mykhailo Mudryk. The Ukraine international was provisionally suspended by the FA last month after failing a drugs test and the winger now faces an uncertain future at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea are exploring their options, with the likes of Alejandro Garnacho, Jamie Gittens and Mathys Tel all of interest to the club, football.london understands. Some Chelsea supporters are excited by the three players named, while many believe Garnacho is not what the club need.
There has been mostly positive feedback regarding the Tel interest, though, with the Blues holding talks earlier in the month with Bayern Munich over the 19-year-old wide man. The German left winger, who can also play as a No.9, signed a new contract at the Allianz Arena less than 12 months ago and is not thought to be desperate to leave the Bundesliga leaders.
However, the teenager has made just two league starts under Bayern boss Vincent Kompany this season. Chelsea are long-term admirers of Tel, making a firm enquiry about signing the German last summer. football.london understands if Bayern were to give Chelsea any encouragement that Tel is available between now and the end of the window, then the west Londoners would not hesitate to make an offer.
Delap brought in
Loads of Chelsea fans are crying out for another striker to be brought in. At the moment, there is undoubtedly too much reliance on Nicolas Jackson's young shoulders, with the 23-year-old starting 20 of Chelsea's 22 Premier League matches this season. There is a reasonable theory that this is the reason why Jackson's goals have dried up in recent times.
So, the logical thing for the Blues may well be to dive into the mid-season transfer market for another No.9. Liam Delap is a name that refuses to go away, with football.london understanding the 21-year-old is a centre-forward the club are really fond of - and have been for quite some time.
Benjamin Sesko of RB Leipzig is another name that is on the club's shortlist. The January market, however, presents a number of challenges for clubs looking to do business, not least the price inflation caused by a team not wanting to sell one of their star players midway through a season.
If Chelsea can find a way, a sensible deal, to bring Delap in - for me, that is an absolute no-brainer.
Ugochukwu recall
Lesley Ugochukwu or Andrey Santos? Both are enjoying loan spells at Southampton and Strasbourg, respectively. But if you were to bring one back this month, which one would you choose?
For me, Ugochukwu. Santos is having what looks to be the time of his life in France and that is exactly what Chelsea wanted in regards to his development when making the decision to move him on in the summer.
Ugochukwu has started to enjoy life at Southampton following the sacking of Russell Martin, with the Frenchman playing a considerable amount more under newly-appointed Saints boss Ivan Juric. There is no question, though, that Chelsea need to do something in regards to their situation in the centre of midfield.
Enzo Fernandez and Romeo Lavia missed Monday evening's win against Wolves with injuries. Maresca refused to give too much away post-match on when the duo might be back but confirmed Lavia's problem was more serious than Fernandez's. Either way, it leaves Chelsea very short in the middle of the park.
