Three January signings that could propel Chelsea into genuine title contention, including £70m brute

Chelsea's advancement nether Xabi Alonso has provided plentifulness of encouragement during the opening weeks of the 2026-27 season, adjacent if a 3-0 decision to Brentford earlier the archetypal planetary interruption brought them backmost down to earth.

There is already a feeling that the Blues are moving successful the close absorption nether their caller caput coach, with an onslaught susceptible of causing superior problems for plentifulness of Premier League defences.

If the Blues tin proceed improving implicit the coming seasons, determination is nary crushed wherefore they cannot yet situation Arsenal and perchance Manchester City for the title.

However, a fewer additions whitethorn inactive beryllium required to crook that ambition into a realistic target. Below, Sports Mole takes a look astatine 3 signings that could earnestly bolster Alonso's squad successful January.

Murillo – Nottingham Forest

Chelsea's defence could yet beryllium their downfall.

Joao Pedro, Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers should supply capable firepower to marque them 1 of the league's highest-scoring sides, but conceding 12 goals successful their opening 5 matches – much than immoderate different squad – is simply a large concern.

At slightest 1 caller centre-back is needed alongside summertime signing Maxence Lacroix, and Nottingham Forest brute Murillo - who has been linked with a determination to Stamford Bridge successful caller years - would beryllium an perfect candidate.

The 24-year-old offers physicality, is comfy defending wide spaces successful a backmost 3 and already has extended Premier League experience.

Forest person conceded conscionable 5 goals this season, joint-third champion successful the division, and Murillo has played a cardinal relation successful that.

A £70m asking terms has been mooted successful caller windows, making him an costly concern but perchance 1 Chelsea request to make.

Lamine Camara – Monaco

Chelsea came adjacent to signing Lamine Camara successful the summertime before AS Monaco pulled the plug connected the move.

While the Blues person each close to beryllium frustrated with however that woody collapsed, they should enactment that disappointment speech and revisit the Senegal planetary successful January.

Camara has continued his awesome signifier adjacent since his failed departure, registering a Sofascore standing supra 7.2 successful 2 of his 3 league appearances. Against defending champions PSG, helium produced 92% passing accuracy, 8 antiaircraft contributions and won 12 duels successful a 2-1 victory, earlier assisting a extremity against Strasbourg.

A fee of astir £60m could beryllium a snip for a subordinate who offers genuine all-round quality.

With Moises Caicedo moving his mode backmost from injury, Reece James' fittingness concerns, Romeo Lavia's ain inconsistencies and Jordan Henderson providing acquisition alternatively than semipermanent upside, a prime midfielder similar Camara would beryllium hugely valuable.

Jean-Philippe Mateta – Crystal Palace

Chelsea's onslaught is hardly a problem, but Joao Pedro's astonishment wounded has exposed a deficiency of reliable extent heading into the planetary break.

Danny Welbeck is an experienced and reliable back-up, but Alonso whitethorn request thing much if helium is superior astir breaking into the apical 3 oregon four.

Crystal Palace guardant Jean-Philippe Mateta could supply precisely that.

The Eagles talisman has scored astatine slightest 12 Premier League goals successful each of the past 3 completed seasons, including a career-best 16 successful 2023/24, portion helium would besides connection a wholly antithetic illustration to Pedro.

At 6 ft 4, Mateta provides a carnal focal constituent and target-man enactment much reminiscent of Alonso's erstwhile Bayer Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface.

With his contract expiring adjacent summer, Chelsea could perchance onshore him for a comparatively humble fee, frankincense making the Frenchman an intriguing January option.