After a dull 1-1 draw with relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest, Chelsea supporters did not receive the new year’s present they had hoped for.
Graham Potter has not won consecutive league games since his first three games in charge in October, and as a result, the gap to the top four teams has widened to seven points.
Even so, Erling Haaland has scored more goals than the entire team combined, and pressure is growing as the team prepares to play a challenging January schedule without Reece James.
The fact that the transfer market is once again open and new signings can be made is a saving grace during this time.
Benoit Badiashile is anticipated to have his physical this week in preparation for a potential £32.7 million move from Monaco, while Todd Boehly has continued to move swiftly in the recruitment department, seeking to secure a deal for 20-year-old David Datro Fofana.
At the end of the season, Christopher Nkunku has already committed to joining.
A transfer for Enzo Fernandez will be one of the transactions that receives the most attention.
Since he and Argentina won the World Cup, the 21-year-old has been extensively pursued, and a contract is reportedly not too far off.
But things would need to move really quickly in order to be eligible to play Manchester City on Thursday.
A player must be signed and eligible to play by “12 noon on the last working day before the date of the first league match in which the club making the application intends for him to play,” as stated by Premier League regulations.
Fernandez must join Chelsea by Wednesday at noon if Chelsea wants him to play against City.
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