As the January transfer window approaches, speculation arises regarding Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca’s plans to strengthen his squad further.
Despite already having a deep and well-rounded team, Maresca might be tempted to make targeted additions to maintain the club’s strong performance across all competitions.
With Chelsea sitting third in the Premier League table after a hard-fought 1-1 draw with Arsenal, the Blues trail Manchester City in second by four points and league leaders Liverpool by nine.
It’s been a promising start under Maresca, who has also overseen a dominant campaign in the Europa Conference League, with Chelsea scoring an impressive 16 goals in just three games.
To sustain this momentum, Chelsea may look to the January market for reinforcements.
While their current form suggests no major overhauls are necessary, targeted signings could help address specific weaknesses or bolster key areas of the squad.
To envision Chelsea’s potential moves, a simulation of their January transfer window was run using Football Manager 2024.
Here’s what the simulated window revealed.
Chelsea’s January Transfer Window: Key Highlights
Incoming Transfers (£48 Million)
Ousmane Diomande (Sporting CP) – £48 Million
The simulation predicted that Maresca would strengthen Chelsea’s defensive line by acquiring 20-year-old Ivory Coast international Ousmane Diomande from Sporting CP for £48 million.
The young center-back had been in excellent form for Sporting, and Maresca viewed him as a long-term asset for the club.
This move underscores the manager’s focus on solidifying Chelsea’s backline.
Before completing this deal, Maresca reportedly pursued Liverpool’s Jarell Quansah, but that attempt proved unsuccessful.
Outgoing Transfers (£43 Million including add-ons)
– Benoit Badiashile (Lille) – £26 Million
– Mykhailo Mudryk (Paris Saint-Germain) – Six-month loan (£9 Million fee, £62 Million option-to-buy)
– Ben Chilwell (Manchester United) – Six-month loan (£4.1 Million fee)
– Cesare Casadei (Leicester City) – Six-month loan (£3 Million fee)
– Marc Guiu (Wolves) – Six-month loan (£700k fee)
– Tyrique George (Luton Town)– Six-month loan (£200k fee)
– Harvey Vale (Gillingham) – Six-month loan
– Alex Matos (Wimbledon)– Six-month loan
To balance the squad following Diomande’s arrival, several departures were sanctioned.
The most notable exit was Benoit Badiashile, sold to Lille for £26 million—a slight loss compared to his initial transfer fee.
Additionally, Mykhailo Mudryk was loaned to Paris Saint-Germain for a fee of £9 million, with an option-to-buy clause worth £62 million.
This move hinted at Maresca’s frustration with the winger’s slow progress.
Ben Chilwell also left temporarily, joining Manchester United on a six-month loan for regular game time.
Meanwhile, youngsters Cesare Casadei and Marc Guiu were loaned to Premier League clubs Leicester City and Wolves, respectively, to gain valuable experience.
Other emerging talents, including Tyrique George, Harvey Vale, and Alex Matos, were loaned to lower-tier clubs to further their development.
Summary of the Simulated Window
The simulated January transfer window showcased Maresca’s balanced approach, prioritizing squad stability while addressing specific needs.
The addition of Diomande strengthened Chelsea’s defense, and the outgoing loans allowed younger players to gain experience and senior members to find consistent playing opportunities.
Whether Maresca follows a similar path in reality remains uncertain, but it’s evident that Chelsea’s strategy under his leadership is aimed at ensuring long-term success while maintaining their strong momentum this season.
