"When the transfer window opens, we will see what we can do. I don't say if I am going to ask for more or less players. It's to see if the perception matches the reality. We are missing something. We need to improve our reality."
Those are words of the manager of a squad which was assembled for a staggering £1bn over the last 18 months.
Yet, despite all that money being forked out by Todd Boehly and co, those words as justified as Chelsea and Mauricio Pochettino currently find themselves in 12th place in the Premier League having lost seven games already this season.
Yep, it's not going well.
So, how do you fix a problem like Chelsea? Well, by throwing more money at it of course!
Here are the signings that the Blues need to make during the upcoming January transfer window.
Striker
Ideal signing - Victor Osimhen
The dream signing for Chelsea fans heading into the January window and, considering recent reports, it seems like a genuinely feasible one too.
Victor Osimhen has long been Chelsea's top striker target, thanks in large part to his stunning form over the last few seasons which have helped Napoli to a first Scudetto in over three decades, and 90min recently confirmed that the Blues are set to step up their pursuit of the Nigeria international in January.
He's a fantastic striker who would likely instantly make Chelsea European qualification contenders in the second half of the season.
In short: Chelsea have to sign him.
In long: Chelsea absolutely, totally, undoubtedly have to sign him
Alternative option - Ivan Toney
If a move for Osimhen doesn't pan out, Chelsea could look up the road (specifically, west London's M4 motorway) at Ivan Toney of Brentford.
Despite his lengthy spell on the sidelines due to a betting ban, we don't doubt he'll one of the better forwards in the Premier League upon his return on January 17.
Left-back
Ideal signing - Alphonso Davies
Ideal signing = best left-back in the world.
It makes sense.
Alphonso Davies is one of the very, very few full-backs who can win you a game of football and that's exactly what Chelsea need right now: footballers who can win you games of football.
Although Chelsea are sceptical over their chances of signing the Canadian, fans can still dream at least, eh?
Alternative option - Tyrick Mitchell
Ok, sure, it wouldn't be the flashiest signing in the world.
However, considering the fact that Tyrick Mitchell is:
- A natural full-back unlike Levi Colwill
- Better than Marc Cucurella
The Crystal Palace man does tick two key boxes for what Chelsea are looking for at left-back.
Goalkeeper
Ideal signing - Mike Maignan
With contract negotiations not going particularly well with AC Milan, one of the best goalkeepers in the world could be available on the market come January.
While Robert Sanchez has done a decent job since joining the Blues, he's no Mike Maignan.
He's not a goalkeeper who will win you games with saves he's not supposed to make - Maignan is. And if the opportunity to sign Maignan presents itself, Boehly and co would be remiss not to go all out to sign him. They've gone out to sign less in the past...
Alternative option - Diogo Costa
Diogo Costa has been linked with basically every big club in Europe since he broke onto the scene at Porto in 2019 and, if you've seen him play, it's easy to see why.
The Portugal international is a perfect modern goalkeeper who is equally as adept with the ball at his feet as he is with his hands. Not a bad alternative to Maignan at all.
