Chelsea have a NEW January transfer target amid ‘crisis’

Robin Bairner
Robin Bairner
  • 1 Oct 2025 08:38 BST
  • 4 min read
Enzo Maresca, Chelsea, 2025/26
© IMAGO

Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea have hit a difficult period of form and are set to respond by going into the transfer market in January.

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The Blues have a reputation for making big signings in each window, and following defeats against Bayern Munich, Manchester United and Brighton, action will be taken when the window reopens.

While there is a clamour to sign a new goalkeeper to replace Robert Sanchez following his red card at Old Trafford, according to a report from Fichajes, the Blues are targeting another area of the pitch for a mid-season upgrade.

Chelsea are to respond to their defensive ‘crisis’ by making a signing in the centre-back position. It was an area that they did not recruit in during the summer, with the exception of Mamadou Sarr, who was sent on loan to Strasbourg.

Indeed, they have suffered numerous injury issues in the heart of the defence, with Levi Colwill notably ruled out for the season with a knee problem.

Current ETV
Player image Levi Colwill 
Levi Colwill 

D (C)

Chelsea logo

Chelsea

Levi Colwill 
Levi Colwill 

D (C)

Chelsea

Chelsea

€57.8M

ETV Range

€52.1M - €63.6M

Chelsea checklist revealed

While no names have been given as to the identity of the players that Chelsea will chase, what is clear is the type of profile of player that they will look for.

“The priority will be someone with the ability to keep the ball, play out from the back and read the game under pressure. He must provide height, aerial ability and versatility to adapt to formations with a back three or two centre-backs, depending on the opponent,” Fichajes claims.

Marc Guehi: Chelsea January target?
© IMAGO - Marc Guehi: Chelsea January target?

Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi is a natural candidate to sign, with the Blues having long been linked with the England star. Competition would naturally come from Liverpool, who felt they were on target to snap up the 25-year-old until a dramatic Deadline Day U-turn.

Another possibility is that Sarr is recalled from Strasbourg or Aaron Anselmino is brought back from Dortmund.

While no firm decision has been made, Chelsea will bolster their defence come January.

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