Chelsea are expected to be active in the January transfer market after failing to tick off a few key transfer aims during the summer window.
Enzo Maresca’s side spent the majority of the summer reinforcing their attack as a key priority, with Liam Delap, Joao Pedro, Jamie Gittens, Alejandro Garnacho and Facundo Buonanonotte all coming in to bolster Chelsea’s forward options, while teenage Brazilian sensation Estevao also finally arrived after a previously agreed 2024 deal.
Chelsea’s summer transfers (permanent only)
Incoming
Outgoing
Joao Pedro
Noni Madueke
Jamie Gittens
João Félix
Jorrel Hato
Djordje Petrovic
Liam Delap
Lesley Ugochukwu
Dario Essugo
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall
Mamadou Sarr
Renato Veiga
Estevao
Armando Broja
Kendry Paez
Carney Chukwuemeka
Alejandro Garnacho
Mathis Amougou
Basir Humphreys
Kepa Arrizabalaga
Marcus Bettinelli
Christopher Nkunku
Alfie Gilchrist
Lucas Bergstrom
Ben Chilwell
While they also signed Jorrel Hato from Ajax, the Dutchman is reportedly viewed as a left-back to cover Marc Cucurella — which is a position he starred in for the Eredivise side under Francesco Farioli last term.
Chelsea were in the market for a more natural central defender too, even before Levi Colwill’s ACL injury blow, having attempted to sign Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth prior to his Real Madrid move.
As per journalist Simon Phillips, Chelsea remained on the prowl for a centre-back long into the window, but couldn’t quite find the right profile.
Chelsea would like to sign Marc Guehi, but he’s “dead set” on joining Liverpool
In a new Substack update, Phillips reaffirms this, whilst also sharing news on their links to Crystal Palace star and former Cobham academy ace Marc Guehi.
The 25-year-old, since leaving Stamford Bridge in 2021, has become an established Premier League star and England international. Elite clubs have the chance to sign him for free next summer when he leaves as a free agent, which comes as a very enticing prospect, with Liverpool, Man City, Real Madrid and Barcelona all eyeing a 2026 move for Guehi.
Chelsea are believed to be major fans of Guehi too, as per Phillips, but they’ve practically thrown the towel in already considering he’s “dead set” on joining Liverpool.
“There is an awareness within the club that the centre back position can be improved still, and they are working to try and find Maresca the right profile that he wants in,” wrote Phillips.
“Marc Guehi is a player that Chelsea would like to sign and he is universally liked by everyone at the club. However, The club have pretty much walked from that one because he is dead set on joining Liverpool and was never that keen to return to Chelsea anyway.”
The Three Lions stalwart very nearly made the move to Anfield on summer deadline day, but Palace reportedly backed out of the deal at the last minute, despite authorising a medical and submitting a deal sheet.
Chelsea losing out on Marc Guehi would be a blow
Unless Guehi performs a U-turn in the coming months, it appears Maresca is set for an early 2026 summer transfer blow.
He has become one of the Premier League’s most dependable defenders at Selhurst Park, combining composure in possession with pace and strength in one-on-one duels. Chelsea’s back line has looked unsettled in recent seasons, with recurring injuries and inconsistency, and Guehi’s presence would have provided exactly the kind of stability Maresca’s backline has been lacking.
On top of that, Guehi is a homegrown player who knows the club inside out. Having risen through Chelsea’s academy, a return would have been seamless.
Alas, Chelsea may need to look elsewhere, as the “sensational” Guehi sets his sights on a move to Merseyside.