Chelsea analysis: Five players Chelsea should sign and sell in the January transfer window

The January transfer window has officially reached its midway point, as the business end of the month swiftly approaches. 

Chelsea are a side that seems to always be rumoured with an enormous amount of players - but who should the Blues sign and sell this month?

Transfer News Blitz writer Toby Marks has looked at who Chelsea fans can expect to come in and out of the club between now and deadline day.

SELL, Axel Disasi

The Blues spent a whopping £39million in 2023 to bring Axel Disasi to Stamford Bridge from Monaco, but Chelsea should cut their losses on the French defender.

The 26-year-old was brought in to be a modern ball-playing centre-back, however, he has produced clumsy performances and given away goals that you would not expect from a Premier League standard defender.

Branded Axel ‘Disaster’ by the Chelsea faithful, the Frenchman is reportedly unhappy with his game time this season, having only started four Premier League games.

Enzo Maresca has opted to start youngster Joshua Acheampong over Disasi in recent months, with the West London club eager to sell the defender.

As per Goal, the Italian manager is set to leave the defender out of the Blue’s next Premier League match against AFC Bournemouth.

SIGN, Victor Osimhen

Chelsea have struggled to find someone who can consistently find the back of the net after Diego Costa’s departure from the club in 2017, which makes it surprising that the Blues have not made a move for someone like Victor Osimhen sooner.

Nicolas Jackson was brought in from Villarreal in 2023 to be Chelsea’s main man but has had trouble scoring goals throughout his time at Stamford Bridge.

The Senegalese striker has 12 goal contributions in 20 league appearances so far this season, and whilst that does look impressive, the 23-year-old has missed a lot of goalscoring chances.

This is why Chelsea should bring in Nigeria international, Osimhen, who is clinical in front of goal.

During the 2022/23 season, in which Napoli won the league, the Nigerian showed just how deadly he is, achieving 36 goal contributions in 39 matches.

Currently on loan at Turkish side Galatasaray, Osimhen would set the Blues back £80million, but is certainly a fantastic option to spearhead Chelsea’s attack.

SELL, Ben Chilwell

Whilst looking bright in the stages of his Chelsea career, Ben Chilwell is another name that the West Londoners need to get off their books. 

The Englishman signed from fellow Premier League Leicester City for £50million in 2020 and won the Champions League under current England boss Thomas Tuchel in his first season at Stamford Bridge.

Chillwell suffered a nasty knee injury in 2021 and has struggled to stay fit ever since.

The Englishman’s injury woes prompted the Chelsea board to bring in Malo Gusto, who is a fast, creative and strong left-back.

Chilwell has since been frozen out of Chelsea’s squad under Maresca, with the 28-year-old’s last appearance for the club coming in a 5-0 victory over League Two Barrow in the Carabao Cup.

SIGN, Ronald Araujo

Chelsea are in need of a new defender and the hierarchy at Stamford Bridge believes that Ronald Araujo could be a good fit for the club.

The Uruguayan centre-half is fast, versatile and strong at the back, and as per Goal has attracted interest from clubs all over Europe after an impressive season at Barcelona.

According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, a new central defender is a priority for Maresca, as the Italian looks to overhaul his side’s defensive options.

At times this season, Chelsea have struggled defensively, conceding 24 goals in 20 matches - the worst record out of the teams currently in the top four of the Premier League.

SELL, Benoit Badiashile

Benoit Badiashile is yet another player who has dropped out of favour since the arrival of Maresca in the summer. 

Like Disasi, the Frenchman arrived in London from Monaco for a fee of £35million and started his career well at Stamford Bridge.

The 23-year-old endeared himself well to the Chelsea faithful after he showed calmness and composure on the ball.

Badiashile’s season was cut short during the Blue’s previous campaign, suffering from a groin injury in March.

Since making his comeback this season the central defender has been a total mess, making countless errors leading to goals at the back, and has significantly impacted Chelsea’s performances and results when on the pitch.

The French defender looks out of his depth at the moment and needs to move on with his career - Chelsea should cut their losses and take whatever they can get for Badiashile this January.

Follow all the latest January window rumours and deals with Transfer News Blitz, and follow us on BlueSky as we continue to tell it like it is when it comes to transfer talk.

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