The transfer window is a game of bluff and deceit. Make noises in one direction and its a fair bet that your really thinking in the other direction. So when Jose Mourinho said a few games ago that he wasn't looking to strengthen in the transfer market the immediate thought was that he actually would quite like to sign a player or two.
Still it's the January transfer window a time for one or two additions not whole sale change and lets not forget Chelsea are joint second in the league and qualified top of their Champions League group. Things are going quite well.
Mourinho is not happy however. After the defeat to Stoke City he said that if Chelsea's strikers had scored 8 or 10 goals each then they would be top. He repeated similar thoughts after being knocked out of the League Cup saying to the effect that if we could just take our chances we would have run.
Mourinho can read the table as well as anyone. Goals aren't really Chelsea's problem. Torres, Eto and Ba may not be setting the world alight but Chelsea have scored 30 goals in the top flight this season. With midfielders like Hazard, Oscar and the evergreen Lampard in amongst the goals regularly. Chelsea have scored as many goals as Arsenal have this season.
The reason for Chelsea not being top of the division is their defence. In Jose Mourinho's first title season at Chelsea they conceded only 15 goals in the whole season. This year after 15 games Chelsea have already conceded 17 goals.
For a coach like Mourinho whose teams have been so strong defensively this must be especially galling. The transfer window offers Chelsea an opportunity to strength the defensive but where?
Left back and centre back both seems like a possibilities for activity.
At centre back Mourinho never seems to have been convinced by David Luis. It's plausible that Chelsea will fund any signings by selling the Brazilian off to long term admirers Barcelona who need a centre back and will be more tolerant of his adventurous ways.
Who will Chelsea replace him with? Perhaps by signing a right back and allowing Ivanovic to play regularly in the centre? How about frenchman Mathieu Debuchy. He would be available for the Champions League and has Premier League experience from Newcastle who would surely sell for the right price.
At left back you've got the Arsenal party attending, Ashley Cole, who has lost his first team berth to Cesar Azpilicueta, a right back. You've got to think that Chelsea might look to rectify this problem. With Fábio Coentrão seeming like a possibility. Out of favour at at Real Madrid and linked with moves away this would be a typical Mourinho signing as he likes to sign players he has worked with before.
Whatever happens it seems like a good bet that Stamford Bridge will supply the drama in this January's transfer window.
Source: DSG
