Graham Potter's Chelsea era hasn't got off to the best of starts. Although the Blues qualified for the Round of 16 in the Champions League, they've since been eliminated from the Carabao Cup. Meanwhile, they've lost their last three Premier League games and are without a win in five, with the latest defeat coming to Newcastle at the weekend.
Chelsea now sit eighth in the table, eight points behind fourth placed Tottenham Hotspur and 16 behind league leaders, Arsenal. Potter will need time to mould his squad and that process will properly begin in January.
Whilst plenty of Blues are heading to the World Cup, Potter and Co. will be scouting some other stars at the tournament as he looks to bring in new talent when the transfer window opens.
READ MORE: Full list of Chelsea transfer targets going to Qatar 2022 World Cup amid Boehly scouting mission
Edson Alvarez
Ajax's Alvarez was heavily linked before deadline day in the summer but any potential move fell through due to it coming beyond the Eredivisie's own deadline. The player though has since indicated his openness to switching to west London and the interest could be reignited in the new year.
Jude Bellingham
Chelsea's interest in Bellingham has been well-documented over the past 12 months with Englishman seen as the catalyst that can begin the necessary overhaul of the Blues midfield. Numerous ex-professionals and pundits alike have insisted it is crucial that Chelsea sign Bellingham as he has the potential to take the England midfielder to the next level.
Borussia Dortmund's CEO, Hans-Joachim Watzkead, has also admitted that the German club and player will discuss his future when he returns from international duty.
Declan Rice
Rice, who was released from Cobham at the age of 14, spearheaded the Blues' shortlist last year alongside Aurelien Tchouameni. The Englishman was not for sale at any price, but that could change in the future. That being said, a January move still seems unlikely.
Christopher Nkunku
football.london understand that the Blues hold a long-term interest in Nkunku and they were considering whether to make an approach in the summer but they were put off by Leipzig's €100million (£87.6million) valuation. In June, the France international penned a two-year extension at the Red Bull Arena which cast doubt as to whether a move would be on the cards. However, it's understood that a €60million (£52.6million) release clause - which becomes active in the summer - was inserted into his contract, meaning Nkunku could leave for considerably less than first thought.
If the Blues want to sign him earlier than that then they'll have to pay more, but it's certainly a possibility.
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