Tashmid: Levi Colwill is flourishing at Brighton, so what is the point of buying players than looking at academy players? Another example is Lewis Hall over Marc Cucurella.
Adam says: "I don't think anyone who has watched Levi Colwill previously will be surprised by the impact he is having at Brighton now he is in the team. But in the summer, it became clear he wasn't a player Thomas Tuchel felt could be utilised right away, hence the loan move to the Amex.
"It's a point that has been made by others, but there is a weight of evidence to suggest many academy players can step up and do a job for the team if called upon. Hall is the latest and I think it is something Chelsea have to keep in mind as they embark on this project. Sometimes, looking inward for solutions can be better than outward."
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elvis1956: Conor Gallagher, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Hakim Ziyech have been linked with Newcastle, any truth in those three leaving this month?
Adam says: "I've been told Newcastle have expressed an interest in taking Gallagher on loan, but a departure is not something Graham Potter is willing to sanction.
"Eddie Howe is believed to be a big admirer of Ruben Loftus-Cheek yet I think it would take a substantial offer to get him out of Chelsea as he is very settled at the club and enjoys living around London.
"Hakim Ziyech is someone who was expected to leave Chelsea this month prior to the World Cup. His performances in Qatar for Morocco has altered that expectation but he is a player with value and the Blues do at some point have to start selling if offers come in."
cashos: After such a rough patch of form, does Chelsea’s January business so far prove that the new ownership are fully behind Graham Potter despite the recent results?
"As things stand, the ownership remain completely behind Graham Potter – something emphasised again in the past few days by their willingness to bring in Mykhailo Mudryk, a player the Chelsea head coach wanted.
"When Potter was hired from Brighton, I was told by a senior source the expectation was the second half of the campaign would be better than the first. And that was, of course, before the injuries piled up.
"Potter is viewed as a project builder, a coach who performs better with time. Chelsea have been – and still are – willing to give him that time despite the disappointing performances and results. There is a plan being worked to by the ownership group, even if at times it has appeared a little jumbled."
bossman80: I've been amazed how deep Todd Boehly's pockets are. He's been great for signing new players - but how much say is Graham Potter getting with transfers compared to the owner?
Adam says: "Graham Potter has a say, that much is clear. For example, he was particularly keen on Mykhailo Mudryk and that is a deal that was concluded rapidly. However, I wouldn't say his voice is the most powerful in the room – and nor should it be given the number of technical directors Chelsea have hired in recent months
"They are the people with the expertise of working the transfer market and with contacts across the game. Naturally, they have to be aligned with Potter as there is little point in adding a player to the squad who doesn't fit his tactical principles, and the Chelsea head coach can definitely speak up on that front if required.
"I would expect Chelsea to spend big again in the summer. Perhaps not at the same rate as we've seen this season (£400m and counting) but there are targets who will only become available once this season is over. So deals will continue to be done."
domh: It's an open secret Chelsea want a midfielder this month. However, what criteria would they need to fit in order to register the new signings for the Champions League? I understand under-21 players are fine for the Premier League but does the same apply?
Adam says: As things stand, Chelsea have one spot free in their Champions League squad. Yet even if they remove two non-homegrown players, they can only register three new ones for the knockout stage. So, for instance, Badiashile, Mudryk and Felix can all be registered but only if two non-homegrown players have been removed.
"If a couple of members of Graham Potter's squad are moved on this month, then it's not a problem. If not, then there are going to be several very difficult decisions to be made."
Gibson21: I'm curious about whether the Noni Madueke deal could be completed this January or whether it's meant for the summer, because how will they register all the players when UEFA allows only three changes to the Champions League squad?
Adam says: "Madueke is a deal Chelsea have discussed for this month, although they've not made significant progress in talks as yet with PSV, who have already sold Cody Gakpo to Liverpool. And quite simply, if Chelsea bring in another signing to the three already made, they won't be able to register everyone in the Champions League."
domh: Does the signing of Mudryk eliminate the chances of signing Joao Felix in the summer due to available finances and the sheer number of attackers Chelsea have?
Adam says: "What happens with Felix will certainly be an interesting subplot during the second half of the season. If he has a storming loan spell, it would only be natural for Chelsea to explore signing him permanently from Atletico Madrid – and I don't think Mudryk's signing would have any bearing on that.
"However, Christopher Nkunku's may. The French forward has agreed to arrive in the summer and I'm not sure both he and Felix are required in the squad, especially given the number of forwards Chelsea already have."
TrueBlueChelsea: Are we still interested in Declan Rice? We're targeting Enzo Fernandez and Moisés Caicedo but there's mention of Rice lately. Also, Arsenal are now linked with Rice, so could you update what's happening?
Adam says: "Chelsea's interest in Rice remains but there is an acceptance West Ham will not sell this month. Their stance is expected to be different in the summer and – as you've mentioned – there are several clubs trying to get to the front of the queue for the midfielder.
"I've been told previously Rice would favour a return to Chelsea, the club he supported as a boy and played for until his release from the academy at 14 years old. But he is also intent on playing in the Champions League having seen many of his England colleagues do so. It's no certainty Chelsea can offer him that come the summer.
"And ultimately, Chelsea need a midfield solution now and that's where the focus is. Hence the interest in Caicedo of Brighton and the slightly bemusing attempt to sign Fernandez from Benfica."
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