Transfer News – Five Players that Chelsea could sign during transfer window

It’s been a strange season for Chelsea so far. Jose Mourinho has returned but by no means have things gone according to plan for ‘The Special One’. They have looked out of sorts at times and this looks to be a squad that Mourinho does not like. Even though they are still second favourites at 4/1 to win the title.

Personally I think it is showing his limitations to work off limited resources. Mourinho must manufacture his squad to play his programmed way. Last season, we saw Juan Mata at the heart of Chelsea’s quality and David Luiz look like a world-class defender, but these aren’t ‘Mourinho type players’ and now find themselves surplus to requirements. His striking options are almost non-existent and I think he has managed his squad poorly so far. They are very vulnerable at the back and don’t have a proven goal-scorer. So who can Mourinho bring in to mount an improved assault on the title?

Radamel Falcao

Many people wondered why there wasn’t a stronger link between Chelsea and Falcao last summer. He was one of the world’s hottest properties in the transfer market and Chelsea’s need for a striker along with Falcao’s availability seemed like a natural fit. Only a handful of clubs could have afforded Falcao and Chelsea were one of them. Falcao moved to Monaco in the end but rumours of an early departure continue to materialise as he is supposedly unhappy

Chelsea’s need for a world class striker is huge. Fernando Torres, Samuel Eto’o and Demba Ba are a long way short of the required standard. Chelsea have a number of problems and scoring goals and taking their chances are both quite high on that list. If they were to go for Falcao, they would have to pay a lot of money but it’s not far off being desperate times at Stamford Bridge and he would also be eligible for the Champions League.

Robert Lewandowski

This is another player who would be difficult to get but the reality is that his contract only has six months remaining so this is the final opportunity for Borussia Dortmund to get any money for one of their most valuable assets. It continues to be said that he is all but certain to join Bayern Munich for free in the summer, but is it possible to have his head turned at the final chance?

He is as good as there is in Europe at the moment and it will be interesting to see if any clubs will make one last attempt to unsettle him. Jose Mourinho knows all about what he can do having almost single handedly knocked Mourinho’s Real Madrid out of the Champions League last season. He would be a great addition to Chelsea’s attacking department.

Julien Draxler

This is just another young German player who is catching the attention of many Premier League clubs. He looks to be a real talent. Mourinho amazingly looks to have made his mind up that Juan Mata will not feature prominently under his regime and Draxler can play anywhere in the attacking third. He has mainly played on the left hand side and this could release Eden Hazard into a more central role.

Draxler seems to have a wealth of attributes. He appears a lot more direct than Hazard and Chelsea have been poor in wide areas this season. Willian has been a huge disappointment and Andre Schürrle has taken time to adjust despite showing glimpses of potential. A combination of Draxler and an improving Schürrle on the wings with Hazard through the middle and a new striker would make Chelsea look light a much more threatening side.

Lars Bender

The defence has lacked protection so far this season. One of the most important players in the first Mourinho era was Claude Makelele who simplay sat in front of the back four. He protected the defence, broke up play and allowed other to players to attack. John Obi Mikel, Ramires and Frank Lampard have failed in these duties so far. Mourinho has refused to consider David Luiz, even though he looks like a player who is ideal for this role.

Bender is a German international defensive midfielder and at a young age he could be set for a move to a big European club. He is currently at Bayer Leverkusen and bigger clubs will come looking for his services soon. He looks like he could be a good player for Chelsea. Their whole squad needs to be addressed and defensive minded midfield players will certainly be required. Bender could be a good fit.

Luke Shaw

Ashley Cole is now highly out of favour at the moment. Cesar Azpilicueta has been filling it at left-back recently but it’s hard to imagine this being a long term solution. Ryan Bertrand has regressed following a Champions League final start only eighteen months ago. Mourinho may move to replace Cole and there are few better options in England than Luke Shaw. There are still question marks over his age, physical development, mentality to deal with a big move and so on but he looks to be a player of outstanding potential.

A few years with Southampton may well be the best thing for Shaw so he may well decide to stay but as I said elsewhere, he only has to look at Gareth Bale. Bale left Southampton young and is now the most expensive player in the history of the game playing for Real Madrid.Southampton may well have to prepare themselves for bids from a both Manchester United and Chelsea as both teams seem to be looking to fill this position.