Chelsea
Four centre backs Chelsea could target in January
Rosenior looks set to gain January backing as Chelsea weigh four centre back targets after Colwill..
Liam Rosenior looks likely to receive January backing to shore up Chelsea’s central defence after a season punctuated by injury and scant reinforcements.
Ezno Maresca certainly believed that Chelsea needed an elite central defender last summer following an ACL injury suffered by Levi Colwill, but the Italian’s pleas were ignored by BlueCo. Rosenior appears set to earn backing in the defensive department, however. The club have several profiles to consider, each carrying different levels of cost and risk.
Jérémy Jacquet is the player attracting the most interest. The 20-year-old Frenchman has impressed for Rennes after loan spells with Clermont Foot and has made 29 appearances for the Ligue 1 side. Reports say Chelsea have already made contact and would be willing to pay €50 million (£43.4 million, $58 million). Jacquet has been noted for aerial dominance and positional intelligence at a young age, making him an opportunistic but expensive option.
Marcos Senesi represents a contrasting route. At 29 years old, the Bournemouth defender is a proven Premier League option with just six months left on his contract. A cut-price deal would allow funds to be used elsewhere, but Senesi is not a galvanising signing. He impressed on the south coast but was not a regular starter last season, having been usurped by Illia Zabarnyi and Dean Huijsen, the latter someone Chelsea were eager to recruit before a move to Real Madrid.
Jacobo Ramón is another youthful alternative. The 21-year-old departed the Santiago Bernabéu last summer and joined Como, where he impressed under Cesc Fàbregas. Ramón has made just 24 senior appearances and was evidently someone Real Madrid were willing to let go despite their defensive needs over the summer. He remains an inexperienced and costly gamble compared with a more established centre back.
Each option poses choices between immediate solidity and long-term upside. Chelsea’s incoming transfer decisions in January will reveal whether the club prioritise a ready-made Premier League presence or the potential of younger recruits.
Chelsea
Late Enzo strike seals Chelsea’s 3-2 comeback against West Ham
Chelsea recovered from a poor first half to win 3-2, João Pedro, Cucurella and Enzo key. Late drama.
Chelsea overturned a poor first half to claim a vital 3-2 home win over West Ham United. A nervy opening left Stamford Bridge frustrated, but timely changes and second-half intensity produced a dramatic turnaround.
The match turned on substitutions. João Pedro, Marc Cucurella and Enzo Fernández each had decisive roles after the interval. João Pedro, introduced at half-time, “completely took over the game in the second half”, sparking the comeback with a goal and later providing the assist for Fernández’s stoppage-time winner. The report rates João Pedro 8.3 for his two goal contributions.
Enzo Fernández marked his 150th Chelsea appearance by crashing the box to score the decisive goal. The Argentine was described as dictating the game from deep and was rewarded at the death. He is given an 8.3 rating for his influence and the match-winning finish.
Marc Cucurella, brought on for Jorrel Hato at half-time, was credited with stopping further danger from Jarrod Bowen and scored the equaliser with instinctive movement. His performance earns an 8.1.
Chelsea’s issues were clear in the first half. Robert Sánchez produced a costly error from a Jarrod Bowen cross and was judged unable to deal with the opener; his rating is 6.0. Defensively the team was unsettled early, with Benoît Badiashile substituted at the break and the back line described as chaotic until the changes. Wesley Fofana (7.4) helped steady that defence and his cross led to Chelsea’s first goal.
Other incidents included Jamie Gittens leaving injured before the half-hour mark, replaced by Pedro Neto (6.7). Reece James had limited time after coming on late. The statistics underline Chelsea’s control: 70% possession, 14 total shots with six on target, and an expected goals (xG) of 2.55 to West Ham’s 1.12.
The result moves Rosenior’s side into the Champions League places for the night, a reward for a recovery that matched the hostility of the early boos with celebration at the final whistle.
Chelsea
Spurs One of Eight Clubs Considering Sterling After Chelsea Departure
Tottenham among eight clubs considering Raheem Sterling after Chelsea exit; Napoli, Juventus linked.
Tottenham Hotspur have been named among eight teams weighing up a move for Raheem Sterling after his exit from Chelsea, according to reports. The same sources say a further seven clubs are evaluating a switch for the 31-year-old winger, with Napoli and Juventus explicitly mentioned among the suitors.
Chelsea’s wage bill was a primary obstacle to a conventional transfer. Sterling was earning around £325,000 ($446,000) per week at Stamford Bridge and has not featured in competitive action since returning from an underwhelming loan with Arsenal last season. Those factors prompted concern over the financial viability of any transfer.
Having now accepted a pay-off from Chelsea, the terms of which have not been disclosed, Sterling is reportedly in a position to lower his demands. It is believed he is prepared to do exactly that and would not even seek a six-figure salary from his next employer, accepting a cut of more than two thirds to secure playing opportunities.
Such a reduction will make Sterling affordable to a wider range of clubs. Though it has been some time since he was at the peak of his powers, the player remains a seasoned professional. At 31, and four appearances shy of 400 in the Premier League, he still carries the experience and capability to contribute at a high level.
Any club interested will weigh Sterling’s recent lack of competitive minutes and his previous salary against his experience and potential upside. The reported willingness to accept a substantially lower wage changes the dynamics of the market for him and explains why multiple teams, including Tottenham, Napoli and Juventus, are now said to be considering a move.
Chelsea
Chelsea weigh recall of Mamadou Sarr as centre-back hunt stalls before deadline
Chelsea consider recalling Mamadou Sarr from Strasbourg as their central-defender search remains unresolved before the deadline.
Chelsea have reopened the possibility of recalling centre back Mamadou Sarr from his loan at Strasbourg as they seek short-term defensive cover ahead of the transfer deadline. A report has revealed a complication: Aarón Anselmino is not keen on moving and Strasbourg refuse to release Sarr without a high-level replacement arriving in his place.
The search for a new central defender dates back to Jan. 15, when Chelsea first moved to pursue reinforcements. More than two weeks on, the situation remains unresolved.
Rennes youngster Jérémy Jacquet is the club’s primary target but Rennes have shown no willingness to authorise a mid-season departure. The French side are reportedly looking for as much as €70 million (£60.7 million, $83.2 million) to entertain an exit. That stance has forced Chelsea to consider a compromise that would allow Jacquet to remain at Rennes until the summer, but such an arrangement is known to interest Liverpool and Bayern Munich as well.
Chelsea previously recalled Anselmino from a positive loan spell with Dortmund, a decision that caused confusion given Anselmino had looked set for a significant role under Rosenior. That role now appears uncertain.
The club’s preference is understood to be reuniting Rosenior with Sarr, but ownership links under BlueCo do not make such moves straightforward. Strasbourg officials are determined to keep Sarr, whose departure would exacerbate unrest among supporters already angry over the club’s perceived relationship with Chelsea as a “feeder club”.
Time is running out for Chelsea, who risk failing to conclude any of their preferred deals before Monday’s transfer deadline. Late-stage talks over Jacquet will be complicated by Rennes’ reluctance to weaken their squad and the shrinking window to identify a replacement for the 20-year-old.
Even if a summer transfer can be pre-agreed, that solution would not address Chelsea’s immediate requirement for a new centre back for the next six months.
