Ever since resorting to the 3-4-3 system, Chelsea have been so impressive that Antonio Conte needed little or no addition in the winter transfer window. The impressive run has seen the Blues winning 13 games in a row and opening a nine points lead at the top after the end of matchday 23.
The defensive trio of David Luiz, Cesar Azpilicueta and Gary Cahill have looked solid at the back while N’Golo Kante, Nemanja Matip, Willian, Victor Moses and Marcos Alonso have marshaled the midfield and flanks exceptionally well. Diego Costa, Eden Hazard and Pedro have been doing exceptionally well upfront which has left little room for improvement. That Chelsea needed little improvement in their squad was very much evident from their business in the recently concluded transfer window. The Blues have not bought a single new player but have loaned out several players apart from selling Oscar and John Obi Mikel.
So here are all the ins and outs from Stamford Bridge this January:
Ins:
Nathan Ake:
The 21-year old, who was sent on a season-long loan to Bournemouth in the summer, was recalled by Antonio Conte after breaking into Eddie Howe’s starting XI and producing a series of impressive performances.
Moreover, it is also believed that Ake can be a quality back up for Chelsea’s first-choice wing-back Marcos Alonso.
Patrick Bamford:
Another player who has been recalled by the Blues in January is striker Patrick Bamford. Yet to make an appearance for Chelsea, he was sent on a season-long loan to Burnley but was recalled in January amid speculations that Diego Costa could leave for China.
Outs:
Oscar to Shanghai SIPG:
The Brazil international moved to Chinese Super League outfit for a reported £60 million. The lucrative deal will see him earn a whopping £400,000 a week. The playmaker had fallen in the pecking order after N’Golo Kante and Nemanja Matip’s impressive performances and with regular first-team actions looking bleak, he chose the unusual career path.
Jay Dasilva to Charlton Athletic (loan):
The England Under-19 international was sent to the League One outfit on loan until the end of the season. The highly-rated player, who has won two Uefa Youth League titles, made the switch on December 30.
Marco van Ginkel to PSV Eindhoven (loan):
After singing a new deal with the Blues until June 2019 , Marco van Ginkel rejoined PSV Eindhoven on loan in January. The 24-year old, who had won the league title with PSV in 2015-16 season, was set to sign another season with the Dutch giants but the move broke down after he suffered a knee injury. However, the Blues sanctioned his loan move in January.
Jordan Houghton to Doncaster Rovers (loan):
Houghton moved to Doncaster Rovers at the beginning of season on loan until January 3. His stay was later extended till the end of the season.
Isaiah Brown to Huddersfield Town (loan):
After spending the first half of the season on loan at Rotherham United, the England Under-20 international joined Huddersfield Town on loan until the end of the season.
John Obi Mikel to Tianjin Teda:
After Oscar, the veteran midfielder became the second Chelsea player to leave for China. The Nigeria international, who failed to make a single appearance for Antonio Conte’s side this season, was given a free transfer by the Blues.
Islam Feruz, Fankaty Dabo, Charlie Colkett to Swindon Town (loan):
Feruz, Dabo and Coklett moved to Swindon Town on loan until the end of the season.
Dion Conroy to Swindon Town:
After failing to make a single appearance for Chelsea’s senior team, the 21-year old defender joined the League One side on a two-and-a-half-year deal for an undisclosed fee.