Chelsea Transfer News: James Rodriguez Sanctioned by Guus Hiddink, Top Rumours

New Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink is reportedly keen on making Real Madrid playmaker James Rodriguez his first signing for the club in what’d be a surprise coup for the Blues.

According to Fichajes (h/t George Bellshaw of Metro), the Dutchman wants to strengthen the champions’ toiling squad in the January transfer window and has given the "green light" to press on with a deal for the Colombia international.

Bellshaw writes that Rodriguez, who joined Real in the summer of 2014 following a sensational World Cup, is "unhappy at Real Madrid" and that he’s "seeking a move away in January."

If this surprise deal were to go ahead, there’s no doubt Chelsea would be getting a player of the highest quality. Here’s a look at some of Rodriguez’s standout moments since joining the La Liga giants:

Although Rodriguez is still held in high regard by the majority of Madridistas, he hasn't reproduced the standards of his debut campaign. Indeed, manager Rafael Benitez has had the Colombian in and out of the side this term; in addition to a string of niggles, he’s been unable to build up any impetus.

JAVIER SORIANO/Getty Images

His most recent outing, a remarkable 10-2 win over Rayo Vallecano, provided us with a reminder of what the 24-year-old is capable of at full tilt, per Squawka Football:

Chelsea could definitely do with a jolt of mercurial creativity. Aside from Willian, who has been the Blues’ standout player by far this term, none of the attacking midfield options in the squad has performed to his best, nullifying the effect of what is admittedly a struggling strike force.

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Rodriguez would become the key man at Stamford Bridge too. Whether operating in his favoured position off the centre-forward or drifting inside from either flank, the former Monaco star is always seeking to probe at the opposition with his incisive, darting passes. That kind of quality would give the Blues a different edge in attacking positions.

It’s an edge that was provided in spades by PFA Player of the Year Eden Hazard last term. But as we can see here, courtesy of BreatheSport, he’s in a major rut:

"

Eden Hazard, the 2015 PFA Player of the Year, has now gone 37 hours without scoring a goal for Chelsea... pic.twitter.com/9CFXADUaur

— BreatheSport (@BreatheSport) December 14, 2015"

Rodriguez would help solve a lot of Chelsea’s attacking problems, but it’s tough to see this deal coming to fruition. The Blues are not an attractive proposition for star players at the moment, with Champions League football for next season unlikely and little clarity when it comes to a long-term manager following the dismissal of Jose Mourinho.

Real would be reluctant to part ways with Rodriguez anyway. When this team is functioning, the Colombian is typically at its creative crux. So while the playmaker may not fall completely in line with Benitez’s pragmatic principles, he’s a figure who’ll be key if Los Blancos are going to enjoy a successful campaign.