With the ability to field a full team of attackers Graham Potter is in a position whereby his frontline could soon be extremely overcrowded. Todd Boehly has already put his hands into his pockets this window to sign Joao Felix on loan as well as David Datro Fofana and Mykhailo Mudryk.
After each of those additions fans were left hoping that it was a new midfielder next to walk through the doors as it continues to be a glaring hole in the side. That isn't the case yet though with another forward on the way in with Noni Madueke's move to Stamford Bridge at an extremely advanced stage, football.london understands.
The 20-year-old is set to complete a transfer from PSV Eindhoven and will be the sixth signing this winter as the rapid squad rebuild continues to take stage. In order to properly complete the overhaul though there will need to be attention given to other areas of the squad.
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It is midfield that leaves the most gaping hole. Even with a fully fit squad the numbers don't quite add up. Given that N'Golo Kante could yet resign and Denis Zakaria has been the best performer in that position since the World Cup there are options moving forward but the uncertain and increasingly likely future of Jorginho away from the club means that work is still to be done.
A physical presence in the centre of the park is needed but the best in the world in that position are highly sought after. Declan Rice won't leave West Ham until the summer, Jude Bellingham will be fought for by every team with the financial capabilities and ambition after this season too.
There is no guarantee that Chelsea get either of their top two targets and the chase for Enzo Fernandez has stalled this month as well. Moises Caicedo is the latest option but he has a big price tag and Brighton will be under no pressure to sell having already let go of Leandro Trossard and Marc Cucurella in the past six months.
It is on this note that Chelsea's tactics have had to change in the market. According to the Guardian and the Evening Standard, the club are increasingly on the look out for temporary answers, turning to the loan field. Zakaria is already an on loan player having signed from Juventus over the summer but his injury - out for around three more weeks - leaves Potter understaffed once more.
Here are three players he could turn to this month.
Adrien Rabiot
This would be a strange one given Rabiot's contract is up at the end of the season but could allow the Blues to look at a player they have monitored for over 12 months now.
He was an option in the summer having been offered around Europe and impressed at the World Cup for France. He does have high wages, a matter that put Manchester United off signing him. But the 27-year-old's experience could work out for Potter whilst other options are weighed up.
Franck Kessie
Another player they have looked at previously is Franck Kessie. The Barcelona midfielder was once one of the most promising players in his position as a youngster but has stalled since, similarly to Zakaria in a way.
He signed on a free deal over the summer from AC Milan but has only played 244 minutes in La Liga this season. He could be one Chelsea turn to in a bid to offer presence and stature to their squad ahead of a permanent deal in the summer.
Edson Alvarez
Chelsea were keen to sign Alvarez over the summer as their midfield plight became more and more obvious but the Ajax man remained with not enough time left for his current club to find a replacement.
football.london understands Chelsea kept an eye on the 25-year-old and were keen to have another go for him this month but no progress has been made so far. With uncertainty over the short-term future of several midfield players at the club this could be one they turn to late in the window to have a look at a player they have tracked for a while.
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