With the Premier League now back underway as the calendar turns towards 2023, teams in the English top flight will make a renewed push towards their season goals.
For Chelsea, an inconsistent first part of the campaign leaves the London club sitting eighth in the Premier League table as domestic action resumes. The Blues are still figuring out life under new manager Graham Potter, defeated in three straight matches heading into the World Cup break.
The January transfer window offers a new chance to bolster the squad and fill holes in the lineup for a team that has shown it’s not afraid to spend under new ownership led by American Todd Boehly.
Chelsea have questions regarding the current midfield makeup, with N’Golo Kante injured and Jorginho struggling for consistent form. There is also a desire for better attacking play as the Blues have scored just 19 goals through the first 15 games of the season, a paltry total compared to those above them in the table.
Updated Chelsea transfers
Players in
| Date | Player | Club | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan. 1, 2023 | Gabriel Slonina | Chicago Fire (USA) | End of loan |
| Jan. 1, 2023 | David Fofana | Molde (Norway) | Estimated €12m (£10.6m) |
Players out
| Date | Player | Club | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| — | — | — | — |
Latest Chelsea transfer news, rumors
The Sporting News brings you a full roundup of all the latest Chelsea transfer news as the January window approaches. Below are updates on central defender Josko Gvardiol, French youth international Benoit Badiashile, right-back Josip Juranovic, and striker David Fofana.
New technical director Christopher Vivell is taking charge of the club’s player recruitment for the first time this winter. The Blues are reportedly attempting to operate “in stealth mode” this winter according to one report. But in addition to the big names below, there are notable rumors floating on the following players:
MORE: Why Josko Gvardiol was wearing a mask during the 2022 FIFA World Cup
Chelsea in “advanced talks” for defender Benoit Badiashile
According to Fabrizio Romano and David Ornstein on December 26, Chelsea are in “advanced talks” to complete a deal for Monaco centre-back Benoit Badiashile.
The 21-year-old left-sided centre-back has been a regular starter for Monaco this season, with two goals in 11 appearances. A Monaco youth product, Badiashile has been a regular member of the France youth international setup as well.
Romano’s report states that Badiashile would cost around €35-40 million and Chelsea have submitted an initial proposal, with negotiations now well under way. Ornstein’s report stated that Badiashile is one of many Chelsea defensive targets this January, which do also include Josko Gvardiol and Evan Ndicka.
Chelsea are in advanced talks to sign Benoît Badiashile from AS Monaco as new centre back. Official proposal has been submitted — negotiations now in progress 🚨🔵 #CFC
Fee discussed around €35/40m with hope to get it done soon. First call, @David_Ornstein. Talks will continue. pic.twitter.com/Yrwjj1HqvM
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 26, 2022
Chelsea linked to Croatia’s Gvardiol, Juranovic
One of the most impressive players at the 2022 World Cup was young Croatia defender Josko Gvardiol. The center-back was listed as a Team of the Tournament candidate by many, and also received plaudits as a possible Young Player of the Tournament selection.
The 20-year-old will no doubt have many suitors after such an impressive performance, and his name will crop up plenty of times as January drags along. However, Chelsea are firmly in the mix, according to reports, including by Chelsea journalist Simon Phillips. The report states that Chelsea have “laid the most groundwork” of any club interested in the young defender.
Fabrizio Romano connected Chelsea to Gvardiol both before the World Cup and in the middle of the tournament, and it seems that link will persist.
Meanwhile, the Blues have reportedly also been considering a move for Celtic full-back Josip Juranovic, who also impressed with Croatia at the 2022 World Cup. Chelsea have right-back Reece James entrenched in his role, and the England international was in great form through the first half of the year, but an injury just before the World Cup has forced the Blues to consider their options.
Chelsea were linked to Juranovic before the season, so they have a head start, but the positive World Cup performance only complicates things, as Romano reports that “many clubs” are now interested.
Croatian national team right back Josip Juranovic is expected to leave Celtic FC this summer as many clubs are following him. 🇭🇷 #transfers
Jurankvic is attracting interests from Premier League clubs too after great season for club and country.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 20, 2022
Chelsea signing striker David Fofana
Chelsea confirmed the club had reached a pre-agreement with Molde for the transfer of young striker David Fofana on December, 28.
The 19-year-old has two caps for the Ivory Coast senior international team, and has scored an incredible 15 goals in 24 league games in the Norwegian top flight this season, chipping in an additional five assists. Add in another six goals across all other competitions, and he is one of the most electric young strikers in Europe outside the big five leagues.
The Blues have paid a reported €12 million (£10.6m) for his services with the player arriving on January 1, 2023.
Chelsea FC has reached a pre-agreement with Molde FK for the transfer of David Datro Fofana. 🤝
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) December 28, 2022
Watch Chelsea in Premier League: TV channels, live streams
| Region | TV | Streaming |
| Australia | — | Optus Sport |
| Canada | — | |
| Hong Kong | — | Now TV |
| India | Star Sports | Disney+, Hotstar, JioTV |
| Malaysia | Astro SuperSport | Astro Go |
| New Zealand | Sky Sport | Sky Sport Now, Sky Go |
| Singapore | StarHub | StarHub TV+ |
| UK | Sky Sports, BT Sport | NOW TV, Sky Go, Amazon Prime |
| USA | USA Network, Telemundo, Universo | fuboTV, Peacock |
UK: Matches are carried across Sky Sports and BT Sport streaming and TV platforms, with select matches on Amazon Prime.
USA: Select matches are televised on USA Network (English) and Telemundo or Universo (Spanish), and all three channels can be streamed on fuboTV. The rest of the matches are streamed on NBC platform Peacock for subscribers.
Canada: Every Premier League game this season is live streaming exclusively via fuboTV in Canada.
Australia: Fans in Australia can stream every match live and on demand on Optus Sport.
India: Star Sports network has the rights to show Premier League matches in India. As well as an English broadcast on Star Sports Select, select matches will be available via regional feeds on Star Sports 3 (in Bengali, English, Kannada, Malayalam), Star Sports 1 (Bangla) and Star Sports 1 (Tamil).
