Chelsea identify multiple midfield targets for January

Chelsea have identified multiple midfield targets ahead of the winter transfer window, according to Simon Phillips.

The west London giants were desperate to bolster their midfield before the summer transfer deadline and eventually signed Denis Zakaria on loan from Juventus.

However, the Swiss has not played a single minute for the Blues so far and it is reported that the 25-year-old's temporary deal could be terminated at the turn of the year.

This could coincide with the Blues' pursuit of another midfielder. At present, they are tracking Edson Alvarez, Moises Caicedo, Weston McKennie and Bruno Guimaraes.

Among the quartet, Alvarez and McKennie seem the most viable targets. The Blues actually tried to sign Alvarez from Ajax, but the latter refused to sanction his exit.

After losing the likes of Antony, Lisandro Martinez and Andre Onana, Ajax did not want to offload another high-profile star. He could still be sold in January or next summer.

Chelsea also have their sights on landing West Ham United's Declan Rice, but they may have to wait until the end of the campaign to prise him away from the Hammers.