Chelsea Transfer News: Jose Mourinho's Top January Targets, Latest Blues Rumours

England manager Roy Hodgson has addressed the ongoing transfer saga surrounding Everton defender John Stones, who was linked with a move to Chelsea throughout the summer transfer window and handed in a transfer request that was ultimately denied, per Sky Sports.

As reported by the Press Association's Simon Peach (for the Daily Mail), Hodgson believes the young defender has handled himself superbly throughout the ordeal, saying:

"

He's done exceptionally well, hasn't he? It's a fact of life, the transfer window brings about this speculation.

The way he's handled it at Everton has been quite fantastic. He's been 100 per cent concentrated, focused and motivated to play since he's been with us.

It is of no concern to me and won't affect his play.

"

The Blues are widely expected to make another run at Stones in January, when Everton could be out of the race for the European spots and may reconsider their stance. It would also give the 21-year-old some time to think about his future and perhaps push his request to move away from the Toffees even harder.

Stones is considered to be the finest young defensive talent in England and is already a starter for the national team, despite his age. He has the combination of Premier League experience and upside that scouts salivate over, and he appears ready to play his football at the very highest level.

Chelsea have one of the league's top defensive duos in Gary Cahill and John Terry, but Stones would immediately rival those two for playing time at Stamford Bridge. At the very least, he'd provide valuable depth and a fantastic prospect for the future. In return, the Blues could offer him the chance to learn from the very best, via the Daily Mail's Ian Ladyman:

The chance to play Champions League football and an increase in wages are other strong reasons in favour of a move, and it's easy to see why Stones handed in his transfer request late this summer. Perhaps the request came too late, however, giving the Toffees little chance to find a replacement.

Everton know Stones is eager to leave, and the January window would provide the youngster with his first opportunity. While it's unlikely he'll openly sulk or refuse to play in order to force a move, manager Roberto Martinez will have to start thinking about the future and brace for another difficult transfer window.

If Chelsea do return to Goodison Park with an offer, expect them to be as aggressive as ever. The last few days of the summer window were embarrassing for the Blues, and they were widely mocked for their inability to land Stones and the alternatives they did bring in. Paddy Power joined in on the fun:

The Blues have a score to settle, and odds are they'll find a way to force Everton into a sale this time around.

Stones has handled the situation like a seasoned veteran, and don't expect that to change in the coming months. Whatever happens between the defender, Everton and Chelsea, it will happen behind the scenes, and we won't know what the next chapter of this story will be until January.

Blues Eyeing Moussa Sissoko?

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Manchester City and Chelsea reportedly made £17 million offers for Newcastle United's Moussa Sissoko during the summer, and the France international could be a transfer target for both clubs when the January transfer window opens.

That's according to Foot Mercato (h/t Daily Star's Jamie Anderson), who claim a “source close to the player” revealed the offers. The Magpies are expected to engage the midfielder in contract talks in the hope they can convince him to stay at the club.

As shared by Sport Witness, Sissoko's entourage is known to reveal stories like this to the press, which helps drum up interest in his services:

The 26-year-old could be an alternative to Juventus' Paul Pogba, who was linked with a move to Stamford Bridge near the end of the transfer window. While a transfer always seemed unlikely, he reportedly turned down a £62 million offer, via Match of the Day:

Pogba is a prime candidate to leave Juventus next summer, taking advantage of the Euro 2016 tournament to boost his value even further. But once it becomes clear Pogba is leaving the Bianconeri, every top club on the continent will give the Italian champions a call, including La Liga giants Real Madrid and Barcelona.

The Blaugrana are believed to be the favourites to sign the youngster, per the Daily Mirror's David Anderson, and in the past few seasons, the top clubs in Spain seem to have won the battle for just about every truly elite player―think of Neymar, Luis Suarez and Gareth Bale. Pogba belongs in that category, and he seems likely to follow that group to La Liga.

Sissoko would present a nice alternative as an affordable, experienced midfielder with upside. He wouldn't be an automatic starter, but as a depth player or someone who can come in and add some punch to the midfield, his signing would make a lot of sense.

A midfield duo of Sissoko and Nemanja Matic would be close to unbreakable should the Blues have to defend a late lead, and Sissoko would be capable of holding his own should Matic be sidelined through injury or suspension.

He's no Pogba, but if the young French star doesn't move to Stamford Bridge, his compatriot would be a solid alternative.

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