As the January transfer window nears its close, Chelsea is facing critical decisions about their squad.
With the Blues’ Premier League title challenge slipping away during the festive period, the club is now determined to bounce back. Their primary goal is securing a Champions League spot, sitting sixth in the table, just one point behind Manchester City in fourth. However, Chelsea’s pursuit of this goal will depend on cutting out costly mistakes, especially from goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, whose future at Stamford Bridge is now in question.
Sanchez’s recent performances have raised doubts, particularly following Chelsea’s 3-1 defeat to Manchester City at the Etihad. The Spanish goalkeeper made several errors, including losing possession 19 times and failing to intercept Erling Haaland, which led to a City goal. His blunder was just one of many, as Sanchez also misjudged a catch in the 1-1 draw against Wolves earlier in the week. Despite these issues, Chelsea has decided against signing a replacement for the 27-year-old keeper during this window.
Despite his struggles, Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has expressed confidence in Sanchez, stating that the goalkeeper is aware of his mistakes. However, Maresca has hinted at the possibility of Sanchez being benched for the upcoming match against West Ham, with Jorgensen potentially stepping in. “We trust Robert for sure, but the first one that is completely aware he is making mistakes in this moment is Robert,” said Maresca, emphasizing the need to see how Sanchez reacts in the coming week before making a decision.
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In terms of departures, Chelsea has already started reshaping their squad. Renato Veiga, a 21-year-old defender who joined Chelsea from Basel last summer, has been loaned to Juventus. The Italian side has agreed to pay a loan fee of nearly £4m and cover his wages for the duration of the deal, though there is no option for a permanent transfer. Veiga’s departure marks another move in Chelsea’s ongoing squad adjustments as they look to streamline their roster.
Meanwhile, Aston Villa is reportedly closing in on a loan deal for Chelsea’s Axel Disasi. The 26-year-old French defender, who signed for £38.5m from Monaco in 2023, has found himself on the periphery under Maresca, starting only four Premier League games this season. Villa is in need of defensive reinforcements following Tyrone Mings’ injury, and Disasi could provide much-needed cover. The loan terms are still being discussed, with a loan fee and salary coverage yet to be agreed.
Incoming Players
As for incoming players, Chelsea has shown interest in Villa striker Jhon Duran, but the Colombian forward is on the verge of joining Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr for a reported £59 million. Villa has rejected multiple bids from West Ham, with the most recent offer falling short of Al-Nassr’s massive bid. Duran, 21, is believed to have already agreed on personal terms with the Saudi club, and it now seems unlikely that Chelsea will match the offer, despite their interest in the highly-rated forward.
As the transfer window heads into its final days, Chelsea’s focus is clearly on reshaping their squad, with key decisions on Sanchez’s future, potential defensive reinforcements, and a major striker acquisition. The next few days will be crucial for the club as they look to strengthen their ranks for the second half of the season and ensure a strong finish in their pursuit of Champions League football.
