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Scott Trotter & Adam Newson & Bobby Vincent

Enzo Fernandez arrival, two potential departures – Chelsea transfer deadline day predictions

Adam Newson

Trying to predict the actions of Chelsea in the transfer market this month has been a fool's errand. The Blues have gone far bigger than anyone anticipated to reshape Graham Potter's first-team squad – and they are still not done, with the arrival of Enzo Fernandez from Benfica possible.

I've been asked several times over the past few days whether I think Chelsea will get their man. My response has always been the same: it's a complete 50/50. Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali have shown their hand and put the money on the table, it is now all on Benfica.

READ MORE Conor Gallagher stance on Everton switch revealed as Chelsea receive £45m transfer approach

I expect there to be a few outgoings across the first team and Development Squad. There's been interest shown in Conor Gallagher throughout the month, but I suspect he will only leave if told to. Whether a genuine offer arrives for Hakim Ziyech is the other unknown at this stage; the Morocco international has performed well over the past month but Chelsea are open to offers.

It would be a surprise if Omari Hutchinson doesn't find himself a loan move to the Championship. Reading, meanwhile, are hoping to wrap up a deal for Cesare Casadei. Xavier Simons could also depart permanently, with loan club Hull City confident of securing his signing.

Scott Trotter

Transfer deadline day? Chelsea? What to expect? Organised chaos. The Blues have been unafraid to sign players they want since the arrival of Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali and have cared little for what their plans look like from the outside.

There has been a willingness to spend money for the right player, with Chelsea's total spending nearing the £500million mark, and the club have been undaunted by the prospect of the January transfer window on their way to signing seven players for in excess of £200million.

While Enzo Fernandez is set to be the player all of the noise is around, Chelsea have shown the ability to work quickly and quietly when required, as seen with Carney Chukwuemeka and Mykhailo Mudryk. The diverse business the west London side have completed makes it hard to rule out anything on the final day.

Deadline day in August saw Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Denis Zakaria arrive as a late move for Edson Alvarez failed, while Harvey Vake, Ethan Ampadu, Jayden Wareham, Xavier Simons, Dujon Sterling and Bryan Fiabema all went out on loan. The likes of Mason Burstow and Omari Hutchinson are prime candidates to depart in such a manner on this occasion.

Otherwise, given the price demanded for Moises Caicedo, Chelsea are likely to push hard for Fernandez, with a variety of offerings to Benfica concocted. However, I would not rule out a surprise or two either. A loan option at right-back while the Blues wait for the arrival Malo Gusto would be an interesting proposition.

Bobby Vincent

My prediction is that it will be absolute chaos to follow the trend of the whole window. It's been drama ever since the get-go this month and who would bet against that again today? Certainly not me.

Enzo Fernandez is the big one. He's the name on everyone's lips. Will Chelsea be able to get this big-money deal done and put this transfer saga to bed once and for all? I think they will.

The Blues have switched all of their attention to Fernandez and he remains their No. 1 target, like he has been all window-long essentially. The structure of the deal is still the sticking point and Chelsea are trying to reach a compromise with Benfica so they can sign the Argentina international.

I think it's something Chelsea's recruitment team will be able to do. They have been brilliant at such matters this month and considering how desperate the club are to bring Fernandez in, and knowing that the competition will be so fierce in the summer, I can see them striking a deal.

However, it's one that is expected to rumble on all day. So, in true Chelsea fashion, I expect the deal to be done right on the cusp of the transfer deadline at 11pm.

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