CHELSEA are looking to add some older heads to their young side with the January signings of Paris St-Germain pair Julian Draxler and Idrissa Gueye.
Frank Lampard is reportedly keen to spend big in the transfer window after a ban stopping Chelsea signing any players next month was lifted.
Former Everton defensive midfielder Gueye, 30, has starred for the Parisians since his move from Everton in the summer and it may be hard to tempt him back to England.
German international Draxler, 26, is seen as a creative replacement for Eden Hazard, with Chelsea still looking to fill the gap left by his switch to Real Madrid.
World Cup winner Draxler is the more likely of the two to move, with game time not always guaranteed at the Parc des Princes.
Following Chelsea’s shock 2-0 home loss to struggling Southampton, Lampard warned he could dip into the transfer market in January.
He said: I learn about the players, particularly in games like that I suppose.
Games that turn out to be difficult are a test of character as much as they are quality. They are a test of both.
When it’s all easy after Sunday’s 2-0 win at Tottenham, we were the greatest thing in the world, they were the greatest players and I was a great manager.
And today it’s questioned. And it’s when you’re questioned that you’ll see the strength of character of someone I’d say.
Things like shots and crosses get the crowd excited but we didnt have any clear-cut chances and we need to show more in terms of bravery and quality on the ball.
We havent been clinical in front of goal, thats something we have to improve on.
Things like shots and crosses get the crowd excited but we didnt have any clear-cut chances and we need to show more in terms of bravery and quality on the ball.
We havent been clinical in front of goal, thats something we have to improve on.
Chelsea have also been linked with Philippe Coutinho, should Bayern Munich not take up their option to buy the former Liverpool playmaker.
The Brazilian has struggled since his whopping 142million move to Barcelona from Liverpool in January 2018.
It is reported that Barcelona are willing to part with Coutinho for a cut-price 85million, leaving Chelsea with money left over after the 130million sale of Eden Hazard.
This would leave them well placed to chase England starlets Jadon Sancho and Ben Chilwell.
Sancho would be available for around 120million, with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich keen to make up for lost time after the transfer ban and make a statement signing.
South London-born Sancho has been on fire for Borussia Dortmund this season, with nine goals and nine assists already so far.
Chelsea fans are also calling for the club to sign Leicester left-back Chilwell, with Marcos Alonso’s time at the club appearing to be coming to an end.
A poor run of form for the Blues means that the race for the top four is now wide open, with Spurs and Sheffield United only trailing fourth-placed Chelsea by three points.
Three defeats in the last five league games for Lampard has left him with little option but to dip into Chelsea’s war chest in January.
