Apparently the Daily Mail, along with News of the World, have left for an early vacation and let the local zoo take over. According to their transfer guide Chelsea is in need of a striker, a centre half and a right back. Maybe I'm off base but I don't see the need for any replacements there.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/...l-Di-Maria.html

At the moment some might think that a striker is necessary, but after January I don't think that will be the case.

It's safe to say there's no chance Terry will be losing his place and with the very different options of Carvalho and Alex on the right I don't see why that position is needed?

The right back position was covered by one of the best in Jose Bosingwa, and now it's probably true that he's been overtaken by his backup in Ivanovic. If anything I would say Chelsea has two of the top right backs on the planet and that's the last place to be shopping.

To be fair I think Chelsea already has more depth than most teams so I don't see us needing any transfers period. If I HAD to choose though, I guess I would say that either another striker with Anelka moving to the top of the diamond or a midfielder in in that position with Anelka and Drogba up front would be nice. Looking at the current setup it's a shame that Lampard wasn't playing well behind the strikers, it would make the formation so much simpler.

Don't forget that if the transfer ban is upheld, this will be our last chance to buy a player until the summer of 2011. Our squad is nowhere near good enough to compete at the top until then without bringing some players in this January. If Ancelotti decides to stick to his word and not bring anyone in, then he's either got more faith in our youth players than I thought he had, or he's insane.

Ancelotti, in my opinion, is a shrewd operator and like a good poker player won't show his hand. So despite what he says about not visiting the January transfer window I expect him to splurge on two or three new signings, and hope Aguero will be on the list. I assume Mancini will have a say in Man City's new signings and will likely concentrate on Italian players. I read where Ivanovic is a Real Madrid target and I'd be very disappointed if they entice him to join them.

The bad news is that Anelka will be out for both games over the holidays. However, Borini and Sturridge are available to play against Fulham. Of the two

my choice would be Borini. However, Carlo may go with Sturridge as he's more familiar with competing in the Premiership. There is no doubt in my mind we need to upgrade our squad and two or three top signings should be the order of the day. I hope Carlo is thinking along the same lines.

Don't forget that if the transfer ban is upheld, this will be our last chance to buy a player until the summer of 2011. Our squad is nowhere near good enough to compete at the top until then without bringing some players in this January. If Ancelotti decides to stick to his word and not bring anyone in, then he's either got more faith in our youth players than I thought he had, or he's insane.

Excellent point, that does change things.

Edited December 23, 200916 yr by Matt F

Apparently the Daily Mail, along with News of the World, have left for an early vacation and let the local zoo take over. According to their transfer guide Chelsea is in need of a striker, a centre half and a right back. Maybe I'm off base but I don't see the need for any replacements there.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/...l-Di-Maria.html

At the moment some might think that a striker is necessary, but after January I don't think that will be the case.

We need a striker above all else ! I've been banging on about it all season. Can't be ringed to go over the reasons why, but ultimatley it's a long term thing.

I think the club know it too and the only question is who?

Edited December 23, 200916 yr by bjd

Of course we will spend there is no doubt in my mind. If we don't, we don't have the money which I highly doubt. We succesfully pushed the ban to start later so we can spend sooner.

Ancelotti is smart and won't give any reasons to start speculating on any player. It is also fair to the players we already have not to add pressure. He seems to know how to handle situations like these.

We need to look at players like Aguero, Dzeko, Dzagoev and maybe some more experienced ones as well.

I am certain we will see new players in January.

Edited December 23, 200916 yr by evissy

We need a striker above all else ! I've been banging on about it all season. Can't be ringed to go over the reasons why, but ultimatley it's a long term thing.

I think the club know it too and the only question is who?

I still like Pato. Great player, young, and with Ancelotti coaching we have a better chance than most other clubs.

Of course we will spend there is no doubt in my mind. If we don't, we don't have the money which I highly doubt. We succesfully pushed the ban to start later so we can spend sooner.

Ancelotti is smart and won't give any reasons to start speculating on any player. It is also fair to the players we already have not to add pressure. He seems to know how to handle situations like these.

We need to look at players like Aguero, Dzeko, Dzagoev and maybe some more experienced ones as well.

I am certain we will see new players in January.

We probably will spend, I just hope it's in the right areas. My only worry for strikers is that Anelka will get pushed out, but who knows what Ancelotti has planned.

I also like Bastian Schweinsteiger from Bayern, he would be really solid in our often changed right mid position.

If we dont sign anyone in January, I will be more shocked than I was when I found out Loz was Gary Glitters brother.

Don't forget that if the transfer ban is upheld, this will be our last chance to buy a player until the summer of 2011. Our squad is nowhere near good enough to compete at the top until then without bringing some players in this January. If Ancelotti decides to stick to his word and not bring anyone in, then he's either got more faith in our youth players than I thought he had, or he's insane.

The two are not mutually exclusive BB! :o

I still like Pato. Great player, young, and with Ancelotti coaching we have a better chance than most other clubs.

We probably will spend, I just hope it's in the right areas. My only worry for strikers is that Anelka will get pushed out, but who knows what Ancelotti has planned.

I also like Bastian Schweinsteiger from Bayern, he would be really solid in our often changed right mid position.

:o

Schweinsteiger !! First thing: He is a scumbag. Second thing: Apart from the last few matches he has been totally horrible, and that is in the Bundesliga. Dont want to think about him playing in the EPL. Very overrated player.

We definitly need to sign a striker, not only because of our lack of back-up strikers but also because Drogba wont get any younger in the next years. Dont think he can keep up his current shape until 2011.

Aguero and Pato would both be great signings. Both not cheap though.

Would be nice to see Dzagoev, replacement for Deco. And will definitly have a bright future aswell. Another good thing about him is that he likes Chelsea and has a good character (hard working, not selfish)

The idea that we wouldn't sign anyone is ludicrous. Why Ancelotti bothers to say it and the papers bother to print it is totally beyond me. It is an absurd notion.

http://www.chelseafc.com/page/LatestNews/0...1913268,00.html

'I have a lot of confidence in my strikers, not only Drogba, not only Kalou, not only Anelka, also Sturridge and Borini. Against Fulham maybe we have only Sturridge and Borini, but in January we have Anelka.

'I didn't ask for new players to my club, we have a good solution internally. We don't need new players in this moment.'

not sure if you read it already. but he said again that he doesnt want to sign anyone.

playing Sturridge and Borini against Fulham fills me with confidence.

Edited December 23, 200916 yr by german-blue

http://www.chelseafc.com/page/LatestNews/0...1913268,00.html

not sure if you read it already. but he said again that he doesnt want to sign anyone.

playing Sturridge and Borini against Fulham fills me with confidence.

I think he is just bluffing. If he'd say: "We are after an attacker." he'd have to answer to numerous journo's questions over and over again. He doesn't like to speak too much about possible signings... Is it true you are after Dzego? Are you really after Aguero? Is Chelsea buying Pato? etc...Carlo is just quiet about these things because he is smart about it.

The two are not mutually exclusive BB!

Very true, good point MH! :o