Chelsea currently has no plans to sign a goalkeeper or centre-back in January, and they also have no intention of signing a goalkeeper next summer. The club has three goalkeepers – Robert Sanchez, Filip Jorgensen, and Mike Penders – all of whom are deemed competent enough for Chelsea’s designated first-choice goalkeeper role. Within Chelsea, Robert Sanchez is regarded as an excellent goalkeeper, having previously claimed the FIFA Club World Cup Best Goalkeeper Award. He made a solid start to this season, and despite receiving a red card in the match against Manchester United, he has since reduced the number of mistakes he commits.
Jorgensen, meanwhile, remains highly regarded at the club and was a transfer target for several top English clubs this summer. Penders has put in impressive performances at Strasbourg, earning praise for his displays and helping the team climb to third place in the Ligue 1 standings.
Chelsea had the opportunity to sign AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan this summer but decided not to meet the asking price, thanks to their confidence in Sanchez, Jorgensen, and Penders.
Chelsea also boasts ample options in the centre-back position, making it unlikely that they will sign any centre-back players in January. The challenge now lies in keeping the existing players in their best form. Trevoh Chalobah, Tosin Adarabioyo, Wesley Fofana, Benoît Badiashile, and Jordan Ayew are all high-quality centre-backs, while Levi Colwill is set to return from injury later in the season. In addition, Benoît Hato and Reece James can also operate as centre-backs. Chelsea further has two loaned-out centre-backs – Malang Sarr and Anselmo de Moraes – who are expected to return next summer. Chelsea considered the possibility of signing a centre-back in the summer, but the only available high-quality option was Heuzen, who ultimately chose to join Real Madrid from AFC Bournemouth.
Chelsea is currently looking for transfer destinations for Raheem Sterling and Axel Disasi ahead of January next year. Both players are currently in good health, and whether a transfer deal is finally agreed will depend on the players themselves.
In the forward position, George is likely to leave in January. Several Champions League and Europa League clubs sought to sign him in the summer, and he also came close to joining Fulham on transfer deadline day. George is primarily viewed as a winger, and Chelsea already has Pedro Neto, Esteban, Gittens, and Alejandro Garnacho in this role. Portuguese forward Kunda will also join Chelsea from Sporting CP next summer.
After the transfer window closed, the loan deal that would have sent Jiu to Sunderland was cancelled, and he will stay at Chelsea for the entire season.
