Chelsea are unquestionably one of the least consistent teams in England at the moment.
Frank Lampard’s men have recorded brilliant victories away from home at Tottenham and Arsenal in recent weeks, only for all their good work to be undone by a disappointing home defeat to Southampton and a draw at Brighton.
Despite the early season suggestions that the Blues ‘weren’t up to it’ in big games, they have proved the likes of Jose Mourinho wrong in recent weeks with some brilliant wins against their city rivals.
However, Lampard has admitted his side lack the motivation against the smaller sides and they struggle to break teams down at Stamford Bridge – which was such a fortress for the best part of the 2010s.
With the transfer ban now halved, and therefore served, Roman Abramovich knows he needs to splash the cash if his side are serious about qualifying for next season’s Champions League.
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But who has been linked with a move to west London and how could Lampard’s starting XI look at the end of the month? Find out below…
The Blues are in pole position to re-sign the Dutch defender, having inserted a £40m buy-back clause when the sold him to the south coast club in 2017.
Ake is on the radar of other of Premier League clubs too, however, having impressed for Bournemouth since his permanent switch.
The Telegraph claim that Arsenal, Manchester City and Everton are also monitoring the 24-year-old.
Lampard wants a new central defender as there are questions marks over the consistency of Kurt Zouma and Andreas Christensen, while Fikayo Tomori also has a lot to learn despite his promising start to the campaign.
Right now, Ake would partner Antonio Rudiger at the back to form a imperious pairing at Stamford Bridge. He may be the perfect addition to appease the defensive frailties that have been so prevalent throughout Chelsea’s campaign so far.
There’s no doubting it would be a huge coup for the Blues if they can seal a move for Werner.
His current club are very much in the race for the Bundesliga title but this hasn’t halted rumours of a move to Stamford Bridge which have been constant in recent months.
The Germany international has been in red-hot form this season with 23 goals in 25 appearances before the turn of the year, helping his side sit top of the table.
However, according to the Express, Manchester United are also keen on signing the 23-year-old, having already missed out on Erling Haaland this window.
There is still confusion over a potential release clause in Werner’s contract – with some reports suggesting it is as low as £25.6m while others are as high as £51.2m.
Werner would slot in as the No.9 in Chelsea’s XI instead of Tammy Abraham, despite the England striker having a solid campaign so far.
Abraham would likely be relegated to the bench despite his form due to the quality of Werner, but fighting for his spot in the XI could do some good at the club.
After all, Manchester City have two world class strikers in their ranks in Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus and look at the success they have had.
The teenage sensation has been linked to a host of elite European clubs in recent months but it is believed he favours a move to London and Lampard is desperate to make him his marquee signing this month.
Sancho has been in incredible form this season, with nine goals and nine assists in 15 matches so far.
However, the Metro are now reporting that German giants Bayern Munich have joined the race for the 19-year-old’s signature.
It is understood that Borussia Dortmund would rather send him back to the Premier League than sell him to a Bundesliga rival.
But they are likely to demand in excess of £100m for his services which will mean Blues chiefs will have to break their transfer record to sign the young winger.
Sancho would likely be the long-term successor to Willian on the right-wing and he could form a dazzling partnership with Callum Hudson-Odoi and Christian Pulisic in the future.
So how could Chelsea line-up with those targets? Have a look below…
You can get all the latest news from the January window on talkSPORT’s live transfer blog