Chelsea Transfer News: Major Names Wanted by Jose Mourinho, Latest Blues Rumours

Chelsea's winter transfer-window prospects have been boosted by the news Atletico Madrid could be willing to part with Antoine Griezmann if they can find a replacement. Meanwhile, Abdul Baba Rahman has stated his shock at being handed a summer move to Stamford Bridge.

Spanish magazine Don Balon reported Griezmann could leave the Vicente Calderon if Atletico find his successor, increasing the Blues' chances of recruiting the attacker (h/t Bruce Archer of the Daily Express).

Matt Dunham/Associated Press

A previous report from John Richardson of the Daily Express stated Chelsea were prepared to part with £40 million in their hunt to sign the France international, a sum Los Rojiblancos may find difficult to turn down.

It's no secret Chelsea have been one of the biggest disappointments in Europe this season, and the defending Premier League champions sit 16th in the standings after winning just three of their 12 games this season.

Leading striker Diego Costa has struggled to recapture the stellar form of his maiden campaign in west London, netting just twice in the Premier League so far this term, with Loic Remy and Radamel Falcao as his back-ups.

However, manager Jose Mourinho claimed a January squad transformation isn't necessary, attesting to the quality of his current team, per talkSPORT:

"

I will not ask any change to the board for January. I am happy with my players, I trust the players. I don't need to clean the dressing room, like I heard was written somewhere. And I don't need to ask the club to spend money in January.

We put ourselves in a great situation being champions. We have to be again together in ourselves to put it in the right place. The situation is good in the squad so we really believe good things are coming for us.

"

Griezmann has scored seven goals in 15 appearances for Atleti this season and is sure to expect assurances over a starting place if he were to complete a midseason switch.

The 24-year-old netted 25 goals across all competitions for the Spanish giants last season, and Bleacher Report's Rik Sharma outlined him as one of La Liga's top strikers in the period since his move to Madrid:

Griezmann arrived at Atletico for a fee of £25 million in 2014, meaning the club stand to make a swift profit on his signature should they wish to cash in.

However, that possibility is said to rest on whether the Spanish outfit can recruit a replacement, with Bayern Munich's Thiago Alcantara and Nicolas Gaitan of Benfica mentioned in Archer's report as possibilities.

Baba Rahman can't be held accountable for Chelsea's misfortune since making a summer move to the club, and the left-back told Simon Johnson of the London Evening Standard ex-Blues star Michael Essien has helped him settle in:

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I feel a lot more pressure here than at Augsburg and Michael has helped me with that. Chelsea’s season has not been going well, but Michael told me to just keep playing my game and to try to improve each match. Michael knew I was coming to Chelsea in the summer. He has helped me a lot. He has been giving me advice since I joined, telling me to keep fighting and that I will be a success here.

I have been in contact with him since the start of the season. It’s great to have someone like Michael taking an interest in me and I get a lot of tips from him. He is a big hero in Ghana. I like him a lot personally. He is one of the greatest players Ghana has ever produced.

It was difficult when I came here. But I am trying to incorporate myself into the team. It’s difficult to get in the side, but when you have the chance you just have to perform.

"

It was always suggested the 21-year-old would play second fiddle to first-choice left-back Cesar Azpilicueta, who has been one of Chelsea's more reliable stars despite their slump in form of late.

Spanish football writer Rafael Hernandez suggested Mourinho may have something to gain by handing the Ghana international increased minutes in the senior team:

Baba Rahman has started just two Premier League games for the Blues since arriving at Chelsea for a fee of £17.7 million, having impressed last season as a key star for Bundesliga outfit Augsburg.

The defender is fortunate in that he has time on his hands in attempting to carve out a future under Mourinho, especially with the ageing figure of Branislav Ivanovic still in the team.

Matt Dunham/Associated Press

It's possible that Azpilicueta, who has already made several appearances in his former right-back role this season, could revert to that position in future, with Baba Rahman in line to take over at left-back.

For now, the attack-minded youngster will strive to make an impression on the coaching staff, unless he becomes disillusioned with his chances of making a career at Stamford Bridge.