Chelsea winter window transfer manifesto for domestic revival
Published:
Lee Gormley | December 23, 2015
Hiddink needs to boost Blues swiftly
After bringing in Guus Hiddink until the end of the season again, following Jose Mourinho’s second dismissal, Chelsea face a decisive January transfer window in which the new temporary coach must strengthen but not make wholesale changes.
The new manager at Stamford Bridge will undoubtedly want a full squad of players to choose from on his arrival, whoever that may be next summer, so Hiddink has a tough job of balancing the expectations of current stars and brining in potentially season-changing faces.
Former Netherlands boss Hiddink guided the Blues to an FA Cup triumph back in 2009 during his initial short-term spell, being chosen to clean up Luis Felipe Scolari’s mess, but he faces a much more daunting task this time around and is 2/1 with Coral to oversee a miraculous top six finish.
Momentous transfer targets
On his return to London, Hiddink was defiant and confident he could turn form and fortunes around in familiar surroundings, but fresh faces will surely be required in order to make it another successful short stint.
“I am excited to return. Chelsea is one of the biggest clubs in the world but is not where it should be at the moment. However, I am sure we can all turn this season around,” stated the Dutchman.
Hiddink will need to boost morale with new signings and reverse this hapless run form the club are currently, with reports suggesting that Shakhtar Donestsk’s Alex Teixeira may be the first new acquisition next year in a £30m switch from Ukraine.
The 25-year-old has struck 26 goals for his current employers since term, including a brilliant brace over Real Madrid in the Champions League group stage. Though, with Shakhtar having exited from Europe’s elite club competition, Teixeira may see Chelsea’s present involvement in the knockout stage as a huge incentive.
Attacking ranks need uplifting
As well as trying to lure the Brazilian to London, Hiddink may seek a player sensationally scoring goals a lot closer to home, with Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy now hot property after his record Premier League scoring exploits.
With Diego Costa severely struggling to rediscover his former clinical form in front of goal and Radamel Falcao continuing his disastrous fall from grace, Vardy could be an ideal quick-fix for the remainder of this campaign. Although, it may take a substantial wage offer to prize him away from potentially being part of a historic Foxes squad, as they amazingly sit atop of the division.
It is believed £30m will be enough to lure the recently-capped England international striker away from the King Power Stadium, but whether the club will allow Hiddink to spend so much at this stage is unclear.
Blues to recommence Stones pursuit?
It’s evident Chelsea require forward reinforcements, with the likes of Eden Hazard, Costa and Oscar all suffering a bleak dip in performances this season, but their backline could also do with bolstering ahead of a long 2016.
John Terry is nearing the end of his career, while Gary Cahill and Kurt Zouma haven’t looked as efficient as they did during the title triumphing last campaign, meaning another instalment of the John Stones transfer saga may begin.
Everton boss Roberto Martinez categorically stated that his gifted young centre back wasn’t for sale and rejected several high-profile bids from the Blues when Mourinho was in charge, and there could be more to follow from new coach Hiddink.
Despite their current Premier League standing, Stones would almost be guaranteed a starting spot and a chance to test himself in Europe, with long-term prospects possibly looking more appealing than remaining on Merseyside.
A huge price-tag is the defender’s head, but Chelsea are in crisis and owner Roman Abramovich will want a swift resolve, which could see the club splash out on plenty of fresh faces in order to stage a revival and they are 6/1 for a top four finish.
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