BREAKING NEWS: Viktor Gyokeres transfer, Kudus agreement, Nico Williams deal – Dream Chelsea squad after five January deals.
With the January transfer window approaching, questions arise about whether Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca will further strengthen his already deep squad to maintain their impressive form.
Currently third in the Premier League after a 1-1 draw with Arsenal, Chelsea entered the November international break trailing Manchester City by four points and league leaders Liverpool by nine. Despite the gap, the Blues have made a strong start under Maresca, also excelling in the Europa Conference League with 16 goals in three matches.
To sustain their momentum, Maresca may explore the January transfer market for reinforcements. Given the team’s current performance, any new signings would likely address specific needs rather than overhaul the squad. But if Chelsea were to make moves, who might they target? To find out, a Football Manager 2024 simulation was conducted to predict Chelsea’s potential activity in January. Here are the results.
Chelsea’s January 2025 Transfer Window: Simulation Overview
Incoming Transfers (£48 million)
Ousmane Diomande (Sporting CP) – £48 million
The simulation showed Maresca prioritizing defensive reinforcements, signing 20-year-old Ivorian Ousmane Diomande from Sporting CP for £48 million. Before this deal, Maresca reportedly pursued Liverpool’s Jarell Quansah but was unsuccessful, emphasizing his determination to secure a new defender.
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, Maresca approved several departures. The most significant was Benoit Badiashile’s £26 million move to Lille, marking a small financial loss after his 2023 arrival. Mykhailo Mudryk was loaned to PSG for £9 million, with a £62 million option-to-buy, signaling possible doubts about his long-term future at Chelsea.
Ben Chilwell left for Manchester United on a six-month loan to seek regular playing time, while young prospects Cesare Casadei and Marc Guiu joined Leicester City and Wolves on loan, respectively. Additional loans for Tyrique George, Harvey Vale, and Alex Matos aimed to provide valuable experience across lower divisions.
Summary
The simulation highlighted a measured approach to Chelsea’s January activity, with Maresca focusing on strengthening specific areas while facilitating development opportunities for younger players. Whether the actual transfer window will mirror these moves remains uncertain, but Chelsea seems poised to build on their strong start and push for a successful season.
