Chelsea Transfer News: Latest Names, Rumours Linked Ahead of January Window

Chelsea could bolster their attack with the acquisition of Antonio Candreva from Lazio, as further rumours circulate about the future of Eden Hazard at Stamford Bridge. 

Italian media outlet TuttoMercatoWeb.com (h/t Will Giles of Metro) said Blues owner Roman Abramovich has contacted the Serie A club to enquire about the attacker as he considers stealing him away from the Stadio Olimpico.

The experienced Italy international features predominately on the right wing, and he would allow manager Jose Mourinho to freshen up his options in January. 

The 28-year-old is a tactically disciplined individual, and he is the type of player the Special One enjoys having at his disposal. 

Giles added Chelsea are "likely to make wholesale changes" in the forthcoming transfer window, and Candreva's speed and set-piece taking would be an asset to the falling Premier League champions.

The attacker placed himself in the shop window on Friday night, scoring for the Azzurri in their 3-1 loss to Belgium, setting a milestone in the process—as highlighted by OptaPaolo:

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The link with the attacking midfielder coincided with Real Madrid's Zinedine Zidane's declaration of love for Hazard. 

The French icon, who is part of Los Blancos' coaching staff, told a news conference he believes the Belgian will rediscover his form in the near future, but he refused to be drawn on Madrid's interest in Hazard's services, per Mark Rodden of ESPN FC:

"

I'm not in a position to answer [Madrid's transfer link to Hazard]. Me, I love the player.

He's my favourite player [on the Belgian team]. He's the one that gives me the most when I see Belgium play.

He has six months left. It's part of a career -- you have to accept that there'll be times when you're not as good.

But I'm not worried about him for the European Championship.

"

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According to the Daily Mail's Neil Ashton, Hazard is being pursued by Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain as they try to take advantage of the current turmoil at Stamford Bridge.

However, the player's brother Thorgan Hazard has declared he is not worried about his sibling's current plight at the Bridge, telling Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws (h/t James Gray of the Express) there is no issue between player and manager: “There never has been [a problem]. If Eden is not good, Mourinho says. If he is good, it's the same."

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The speculation surrounding Hazard's future has been ramped up by his recent performances and also by the Special One's selection—placing the PFA Player of the Year on the bench, just as the team needs flair and creativity the most.

Hazard will have no ambition to become an impact sub at Chelsea after being the star player of last year's championship-winning run, and if the Galacticos want to take him to Spain, he will be sorely tempted.

After winning the Premier League only months ago, the Blues face the prospect of losing their best player, forcing Mourinho to canvass his options by scouring for talent in other leagues.

Candreva is an exciting player, but whether he has the ability to keep Chelsea challenging at the top is debatable.