The January transfer window closes next Monday and Thomas Tuchel has one thing on his wishlist.
Here’s what is in store for Chelsea before the deadline.
What they need
It’s all about defence for Thomas Tuchel after seeing his rearguard decimated by injuries.
More specifically he wants wing-backs, given just how vital they are to Chelsea’s system.
Cover on the left remains the priority due to Ben Chilwell’s anterior cruciate ligament damage, which has ruled him out for the rest of the season.
But it underlines just how important Tuchel believes wing-backs are to Chelsea’s prospects that he also wanted cover for Reece James, despite the England international only being sidelined for a matter of weeks with a hamstring injury.
Who they want
Emerson Palmieri is seen as the perfect solution, given the Italian will take no time to reintegrate himself at the club after being sent out on loan to Lyon.
But the French club have so far rejected all attempts to recall the defender, forcing Tuchel to consider alternatives.
Despite links to Sergino Dest at Barcelona, Chelsea have continued to try to reach an agreement with Lyon.
Kenedy has also been recalled from loan at Flamengo as insurance if there are no arrivals.
Chelsea are also monitoring Ousmane Dembele, with the Barcelona forward set to become a free agent at the end of the season.
Who they want to move on
Tuchel is reluctant to let anyone go in a season that has been so disrupted by injuries and Covid - and has seen rules on the postponement of games tightened.
That does not mean there will not be any departures, but even players who were considered surplus to requirements like Ross Barkley and Ruben Loftus-Cheek have seen more action than expected this season.
Panic rating: 6/10
