Enzo Fernandez of SL Benfica issues instructions during the UEFA Champions League group H match between Juventus and SL Benfica
Chelsea fans didn’t get the new year’s gift they were hoping for after a drab 1-1 draw against relegation threatened Nottingham Forest. It means that Graham Potter has not recorded back-to-back league wins since October and his first three games in charge, as the gap to the top four opens up to seven points.
Erling Haaland has still scored more goals than the entire squad combined and pressure is mounting ahead of a tough January fixture list that will be navigated without Reece James available. The saving grace throughout this period is that the transfer window is open once more and new signings can be made.
Todd Boehly has continued to act quickly in the recruitment department, moving to seal a deal for 20-year-old David Datro Fofana whilst Benoit Badiashile is expected to have his medical this week ahead of a proposed £32.7million move from Monaco. Christopher Nkunku has already agreed to join at the end of the season.
There is still plenty more to be done though with competition for James required on top of a midfielder and potentially an extra attacker too. One of the deals that will be most in the spotlight is a transfer for Enzo Fernandez, though. The 21-year-old has been heavily pushed for since he won the World Cup with Argentina and a deal isn’t thought to be too far away.
The Benfica midfielder has a €120million (£106million) release clause that football.london understands Chelsea are keen to press on with paying in order to get a deal done quickly and ahead of the competition. With it now seemingly being a one-horse race to get this over the line, Chelsea will be keen to get a move on.
[Source: football.london]