Chelsea FC: January Wish List

Last January Chelsea surprising opened up the bank accounts and brought in Fernando Torres and David Luiz. This year, the January transfer window could be beneficial to Chelsea's long-term plan and their current title race.

Most players they are interested in will be unable to participate in Champions League play but will provide beneficial opportunities for the domestic title.

Defence and midfield seem to be the most sought after by Andre-Villas Boas during the window and it will be exciting to see who Chelsea brings in especially with the players that are currently being linked during this January transfer window.

Gary Cahill

Gary Cahill will most likely be Chelsea's first signing and could be coming in as fast as Nicholas Anelka will be leaving.

He will be brought to the club to strengthen the back four and create a partnership with fellow England defender John Terry. Ricardo Carvalho was the last Chelsea defender to seamlessly play beside the Chelsea captain in the center of defense.

This has the potential to be the smartest move of Cahill's career and Chelsea's season.

Cahill has fallen out of the starting English squad and with Euros coming up, he will be looking to improve his chances of selection, and forming a partnership with the English captain is by far the easiest way to go about business.

Cahill has yet to hit his prime form, but at 25 years of age he has time to improve and learning from one of the best is a massive lift. He has the possibility to succeed Terry as the central force of the Chelsea defense.

If the rumored seven mil pound is the final price, then he could be one of the greatest Chelsea buys in a long time and the cheapest. 

Hulk

Hulk is one of the most talked about players being linked to Chelsea FC, and having a strong relationship with Andre-Villas Boas is a huge factor.

A €100 million release clause is not very persuading to Abramovich, however he does have the ability to splash that kind of cash.

The addition of Hulk to the current Chelsea squad could push some players out of the club, such as Malouda or Kalou, but it would have an impact like no other. He already knows the style that AVB wishes to play and with quality players like Mata, Torres and Sturridge for selection on the left flank and center, Chelsea could rip through defenses and begin scoring at will. (I excluded Drogba only because of the uncertainty that he will remain at Chelsea, whereas Torres is the "future.")

As much as I would love to see Hulk at Chelsea, I still think it is too soon and they should wait til his form dips (like the Cahill deal) and snatch him up for a cheaper price.

Kevin De Bruyne

It has been a while since Kevin De Bruyne has been in the headlines linking him to Chelsea; however, I do believe Chelsea will move for him in January for three reasons:

He is a winger and an attacking midfielder, both of which Chelsea desperately need.

He is a playmaker which is exactly what Chelsea are looking for.

Genk are willing to sell and for a reasonable, or possible loan, deal with a buyout clause.

De Bruyne is a left-sided player who closely resembles Eden Hazard but is a better buy simply because of his price and his youthful and undeveloped self which makes it easier for him to adapt to a new playing style at a different club. He hasn't been able to "burst onto the scene" because he is at a smaller club than Hazard and doesn't have the capability to improve as much.

If Chelsea do not move on him in January then they must over the summer, otherwise they might miss out on a tremendously gifted player.

Eden Hazard

Eden Hazard's agent has recently named some top European clubs, including Chelsea, who are monitoring his availability. 

Hazard is a wonderfully gifted young player who could excel at any club but also has a hefty price tag of €40m.

He is another option, beside Hulk, who could solve the right-wing problem at Chelsea and move Sturridge to the center in front of the under performing Torres and Drogba. His price tag is cheaper than that of Hulk but he doesn't have as much experience in AVB's tactics.

I don't see Hazard joining the Blues because there are too many options for him to choose from and he could be paid more at a club like Manchester City or Real Madrid.

Gonzalo Higuain

The Real Madrid president has stated he will let Higuain go to Chelsea for £22million. At that price he would simply be a steal. He is a world class player and at 24 years old, he is very young and able to improve.

Higuain lines up well as the replacement for Drogba because he is young and seems as though he is looking for a club that he can be the star at, and Real Madrid is not that club.

I think that Chelsea should offload Drogba before pursuing a replacement for him. He might also be able to work beside Torres and Chelsea could switch back to a formation that embodies two forwards like they did with Drogba and Anelka.

Gregory Van Der Wiel

It is obvious that Chelsea are lacking in defense and with the addition of Van Der Wiel they could finally find a right-back the attacks and defends. 

Ivanovic has looked solid in the right-back position but he is currently injured and with David Luiz in and out of form and injuries, Ivanovic will be needed in the center. Bosingwa is still hit or miss every game and Paulo Ferreira seems as though he is headed towards retirement. 

Van Der Wiel could solidify the defense and allow David Luiz to gain experience, and if Gary Cahill is acquired, there would be plenty of reinforcements in the defensive area even with the loss of Alex and Ferreira.

Kaka

I was excited the first time Kaka was linked with Chelsea under Ancelotti. He is a proven world class player who has struggled with injuries, form and obtaining reasonable playing time at Real Madrid and Chelsea could be the possible lifeline.

Kaka is the answer to Chelsea's midfield woes and I see him as a replacement to Frank Lampard until Lucas Piazon develops (Lampard playing a bit-part role). Chelsea lack a playmaker and that is exactly what the Brazilian is, setting just behind the striker and breaking up the defense with a perfectly weighted through pass. He would also keep Mata out on the left where he is originally positioned.

I believe Kaka is the perfect player in January to buy due to his current lower value and Chelsea's need for a playmaker.

First Kaka, the Higuain.