Marina Granovskaia’s first three Chelsea moves of the January transfer window decided
Things in the world of Chelsea Football Club are looking very bright as we head into November.
Even with the nights drawing in and cold weather replacing the warmth of summer, there is still
a lot for supporters to be cheery about at Stamford Bridge.
Currently top of the Premier League with a talented squad winning consistently, Thomas
Tuchel is one of the smartest tactical minds in world football and the Blues are benefiting
from his wisdom greatly. Though that enthusiasm will not eradicate any discussion or rumours
about how the European champions will approach the January transfer window, asking what moves
should be prioritised if any?
January is notoriously a challenging window to make smart deals and Chelsea have been
burned before on this front by jumping into panicked transfers, usually for attacking
players, which does little to positively impact the team.
The best example of smart January business has to be the 2018 arrival of Olivier Giroud
from Arsenal whose goals would go on to help Chelsea win an FA Cup, Europa League and qualify
for the Champions League.
Added to that list was an astonishing bicycle kick against Atletico Madrid at the beginning
of our incredible Champions League knockout run last season. But Giroud's impact is generally
an anomaly amongst winter signings, with Gonzalo Higuain, Juan Cuadrado, Ricardo Quaresma and
Jiri Jarosik all examples of where mid-season moves did not work out.
But it is right to applaud the club for resisting the urge to jump for a short-term solution
in the previous two winter windows, which has not majorly hurt the season's eventual
destination and saved money for the more lucrative summer spend in 2020 and 2021.
For this January there really is no need for attacking incomings. Even if the outcry for
a second striker may have risen after the recent injuries to Timo Werner and Romelu
Lukaku, Tuchel has still coped well and there are enough attacking options the club have
invested in over recent seasons, the challenge for Marina Granovskaia is more in securing
the talent she already has and planning for the future in defence and midfield.
So here are three moves I believe Granovskaia should have at the top of her January checklist.
The lack of movement on negotiations for the contracts of defenders Antonio Rudiger and
Andreas Christensen has worried fans, with both appearing to stall.
The German and Dane have become regular starters under Tuchel in 2021 and both have performed
to a consistently high level.
Keeping both beyond this campaign would be preferable, given the age of Thiago Silva
and Cesar Azpilicueta, both of whom are also out of contract next summer but whose contract
situations appear to be more relaxed.
If Granovskaia can only secure one then it should be the younger Christensen, but if
Rudiger's situation looks negative with his option to speak with other clubs then Chelsea
should swiftly act in the market to rekindle their interest in a previous target.
Signing Kounde
Right up until deadline day in September it was clear Chelsea wanted to bring the highly-rated
22-year-old to West London from Sevilla.
Even with the late shenanigans pulled by Sevilla's sporting direction Monchi to demand the full
£72m release clause in Jules Kounde's contract, it became apparent in the days after the player
wanted the move.
If Chelsea get an indication that Rudiger or Christensen are unwilling to sign a new
deal, moving proactively for Kounde might be the smartest act to bolster the defence
with an insurance policy. Even removing the contract fear, the club have been targeting
Kounde for some time so it feels this transfer might be a matter of when and not if.
Clarify Gilmour situation
There have been some concerns from Thomas Tuchel over the lack of playing time for Billy
Gilmour, who is currently on loan at Norwich City for
the season.
Despite Tuchel having a strong relationship with Canaries coach Daniel Farke from their
time at Borussia Dortmund, Gilmour has been forced to sit from the sidelines as Norwich
have slumped to bottom place with no wins in their first 10 games, compounded by the
7-0 hammering at Stamford Bridge last month which the Scottish midfielder was ineligible
to play in.
Given Farke's strong comments on Gilmour's lack of minutes recently and the current plight
of a side destined for relegation, Chelsea should seriously consider recalling the midfielder
in January if he continues to warm the bench.
However, Gilmour returning to a title-chasing Chelsea and just replacing one substitute
role for another would not be desired, so the club may have to act quickly to secure
another loan for the second half of the season in a limited period.