NEWS NEWS BLOG SPORT takes a look at who Chelsea could bring in during the January transfer window.
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| Chelsea have been linked with Jamie Vardy and Alex Teixeira |
The Blues have endured a terrible season so far culminating in the sacking of fans' favourite Jose Mourinho this month.
Back-to-back defeats to Bournemouth and Leicester proved to be the final nail in the coffin for the Portuguese boss.
Mourinho left the defending Premier League champions floundering near the foot of the table in 16th place - just two points shy of relegation.
Since then, Guus Hiddink has been drafted in for his second stint as caretaker boss at Stamford Bridge, steadying the ship with a 3-1 win over Sunderland.
However, questions are still being asked of the squad, with supporters labelling a number of key players 'rats'.
Here News News Blog Sport looks at what could happen at Chelsea in January.
What do Chelsea need?
Put quite simply - goals. The Blues have scored just 21 times in the league this season, putting them in the same bracket as newcomers Watford and Bournemouth.
At this stage last year they were top of the league, having scored 38 times with an average of 1.92 goals a game.
However, that rate has now dropped considerably to 1.24, despite having exactly the same attacking talent up top.
And the other thing the side are clearly lacking is confidence - highlighted by a number of star players under-performing this year.
John Terry, Branislav Ivanovic and Eden Hazard, to name but a few, have all been off the boil, despite being so dependable in past seasons.
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| Roman Abramovich is not afraid to splash the cash in the January window |
How much can Chelsea spend?
For Hiddink money will not be an issue given the huge spending power of Roman Abramovich.
The Russian has already done away with Mourinho this season at a cost which could reportedly reach £40million.
And looking at previous January deals like £50m for Fernando Torres and £21.3m for David Luiz in 2011, it's safe to say Chelsea have got previous in this department.
Who might they sign?
Given the poor performances of John Terry, Gary Cahill and Branislav Ivanovic this season it's no wonder John Stones' name has surfaced yet again.
The Blues made four attempts to sign the Everton star over the summer with offers in the region of £40m.
But despite the defender handing in a transfer request he stayed put, with Roberto Martinez remaining similarly defiant in recent weeks.
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| Alex Teixeira has been in stunning goal-scoring form for Shakhtar Donetsk |
Shakhtar Donetsk striker Alex Teixeira has agreed a £30m move to Stamford Bridge, News News Blog Sport understands.
The Brazilian has netted 22 league goals in 15 appearances this term and it's believed he will put pen to paper on a five-year deal.
Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus have also been chasing the prized striker, although he's reportedly keen on a move to England.
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| Jamie Vardy is the Premier League's top goalscorer |
Leicester's golden boy Jamie Vardy has also surfaced as a potential target for Chelsea after his scintillating start to the season.
The striker has earned an England call-up and broke Ruud van Nistelrooy's long-standing consecutive goal-scoring record in the Premier League.
However, all this comes at a cost, with The Sun claiming a bid of £30m will need to be made to lure the 28-year-old away from the King Power.
Antoine Griezmann is also a target and has been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge by a number of Spanish publications.
It's understood he has a staggering buy-out clause of £46m, although the Blues will have to tread carefully in their pursuit due to Diego Simeone.
Express Sport revealed the club are in talks with the Atletico Madrid boss, but unsettling his squad before the end of the season could derail his move.
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