However, as the January transfer window approaches, questions arise about whether manager Enzo Maresca will look to further bolster his already substantial squad to sustain their impressive momentum.
Currently sitting third in the Premier League table following a 1-1 draw with Arsenal, Chelsea entered the November international break trailing Manchester City in second place by four points and league leaders Liverpool by nine points. Despite the gap, it has been a highly promising start for the Blues under Maresca, who have also dominated the Europa Conference League, scoring an astonishing 16 goals in just three games.
To maintain this strong trajectory, Maresca might consider dipping into the January transfer market to reinforce his team. With his side performing well, any additions would likely be aimed at addressing specific needs rather than overhauling the squad. But if Chelsea were to make moves in January, who might they target? To explore the possibilities, we ran a simulation of Chelsea’s January transfer window using Football Manager 2024 to see how the Spaniard could shape his team. Here’s what unfolded.
Chelsea’s 2025 January Transfer Window: Simulation Results
Incoming Transfers (£48 million)
Ousmane Diomande (Sporting CP) – £48 million
Despite Chelsea already boasting one of the largest squads in the Premier League, the simulation revealed that Maresca chose to strengthen his defense by signing 20-year-old Ivory Coast international Ousmane Diomande from Sporting CP for a significant fee of £48 million.
The young defender had been in remarkable form for Sporting, and Maresca deemed him an unmissable opportunity. Before securing Diomande, Maresca reportedly attempted to sign Liverpool’s Jarell Quansah but was unsuccessful, highlighting his focus on adding a defender in the transfer window.
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Outgoing Transfers (£43 million including add-ons)
Benoit Badiashile (Lille) – £26 million
Mykhailo Mudryk (Paris Saint-Germain) – Six-month loan (£9 million fee, £62 million option-to-buy)
Ben Chilwell (Manchester United) – Six-month loan (£4.1 million fee)
Cesare Casadei (Leicester City) – Six-month loan (£3 million fee)
Marc Guiu (Wolves) – Six-month loan (£700k fee)
Tyrique George (Luton Town) – Six-month loan (£200k fee)
Harvey Vale (Gillingham) – Six-month loan
Alex Matos (Wimbledon) – Six-month loan
To balance the squad after the arrival of Diomande, Maresca sanctioned the departure of several players. The most notable exit was Benoit Badiashile, who moved to Lille for £26 million after just two years at Chelsea. This deal represented a slight financial loss compared to what Chelsea paid for the Frenchman in 2023.
Another high-profile move saw Mykhailo Mudryk sent on loan to Paris Saint-Germain for £9 million, with a £62 million option-to-buy clause included. This suggested that Maresca might have grown impatient with the Ukrainian winger’s development.
Ben Chilwell also departed on a six-month loan to Manchester United, seeking more consistent playing time. Meanwhile, youngsters Cesare Casadei and Marc Guiu were loaned to Premier League sides Leicester City and Wolves, respectively, to gain valuable experience.
As the window closed, further loans were arranged for emerging talents Tyrique George (Luton Town), Harvey Vale (Gillingham), and Alex Matos (Wimbledon), sending them to Championship, League One, and League Two clubs for the remainder of the season.
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Summary
Chelsea’s January transfer activity in the simulation was focused on maintaining balance within the squad while addressing specific areas for improvement.
The addition of Diomande bolstered the defense, while several outgoing loans provided opportunities for younger players to develop and others to find regular playing time.
Whether Maresca will follow a similar strategy in reality remains to be seen, but it’s clear the Blues are aiming to build on their solid foundation for an ambitious season ahead.
