'Chelsea to spend £55 million in January transfer spree'

According to the Sun, the Russian billionaire's two top targets are Atletico Madrid striker Sergio Aguero and Monaco's defensive midfielder Jerko Leko. And despite the threat of the new year being Chelsea's last transfer opportunity until 2011 due to a Fifa ban, Abramovich has said he will not pay over the odds for anyone and, as such, has made a back-up list of other options.  Related ArticlesJohn Terry cautious of England's World cup hopesTerry backed by FA over Chelsea tour claimsTransfer TalkTerry finds himself entangled in controversyEngland captain John Terry lacks Bobby Moore's classGary Neville says outsiders can win titleAlso believed to be on the club's radar are Ajax forward Luis Suarez, Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi and Everton's Jack Rodwell. With just one win in their last six matches, together with the fact they are about to lose Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou and John Obi Mikel for the Africa Nations Cup, Chelsea are in need of fresh legs to re-ignite their good form from earlier this season. Meanwhile, Michael Ballack has backed 20-year-old Daniel Sturridge to help fill the striking void left when Drogba and Kalou leave for international duty. Sturridge came off the bench for his third Chelsea appearance against West Ham in the 1-1 draw at Upton Park yesterday. And German midfielder Ballack believes the youngster must step up to help Nicolas Anelka, who suffered a minor muscle strain last week, as Chelsea battle to preserve their four-point lead at the top of the Premier League. It is a tough ask of the former Manchester City and England Under-21 star, whose claim to fame is that he is the only player ever to score in the FA Youth Cup, FA Cup and Premier League in the same season. But Ballack said: "Yes he can (step up) - he has to. We will miss Didier as well as Kalou. We have to hope that nothing happens to Nico (Anelka) because he will be our main striker. He has not been in good shape this past week but hopefully he can recover and there will be no other injuries. "Daniel is still a young player but now he has a big chance to show his qualities, which he has - that's why he's at Chelsea. "He has been a bit unlucky with injury, but he has come back at the right time and has an opportunity to get more games and help the team."

Source: Telegraph