With just two new signings this month, Mauricio Pochettino could give Chelsea a new chance to qualify for the Champions League. The Blues have had a tough time moving up the Premier League table this season, and they could miss out on European games for the second year in a row.

Chelsea is in 10th place in the English Premier League with only 28 points after 20 games. Arsenal is in fourth place and Tottenham is in fifth. It’s not likely to be as busy in January as it was last year when Todd Boehly spent almost £200 million on Enzo Fernandez and Mykhailo Mudryk alone. However, the west Londoners need a spark badly.

A spark that very well could be the arrival of two big names. That being said, football London has looked at how Chelsea might line up at the end of the January transfer window if Chelsea owner Chelsea gives Pochettino a lot of money…

Formation

Chelsea have looked their best with Christopher Nkunku in the number ten role. To get the best out of the former RB Leipzig forward, Pochettino should operate a 4-2-3-1 – not only will he be granted the freedom to roam the final third but the Blues will also be given sufficient protection by a double pivot.

Defence

Neither Robert Sanchez nor Djordje Petrovic have put a foot wrong since arriving in the summer, but the same cannot be said about Chelsea’s backline. Ideally, with Ben Chilwell out injured and Marc Cucurella unimpressive, Ian Maatsen would’ve been given a run of games at left-back but, instead, he’s been shipped out on loan to Borussia Dortmund.

So, the West Londoners should look to sign a new left-back. Alejandro Grimaldo, who is one of the most in-form players in Europe at the moment would be an excellent option. The 28-year-old defender has featured 16 times for Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga this season, scoring seven goals and providing six assists.

At center-half, Pochettino should operate a partnership of Levi Colwill and Benoit Badiashile. While the Cobham graduate would benefit immensely from playing alongside Thiago Silva, the veteran defender sees his contract expire at the end of the season and Chelsea could do with some stability.

Midfield

Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez can offer Chelsea great balance in the middle of the park, but they’ll need support from their full-backs in wide spaces. With Nkunku in the No.1 role, Palmer can operate on the right wing with Noni Madueke playing understudy.

With the former Manchester City star cutting inside onto his left foot, Reece James or Malo Gusto will be encouraged to overlap. Pochettino has a wealth of options across midfield with Romeo Lavia more than capable of replacing either Caicedo or Fernandez, and Mykhailo Mudryk battling Raheem Sterling for a place on the left wing.

Striker

Neither Nicolas Jackson nor Armando Broja have necessarily set the Premier League alight this season, but the former has certainly shown great potential. However, potential doesn’t win points so Chelsea should do everything it takes to sign Victor Osimhen – a proven goalscorer.

football London understands that the Blues wаnted to sign the 25-year-old in the summer, but Napoli were determined to hold onto their striker – so Jackson was signed from Villarreal instead. It’s believed that Chelsea viewed the Nigeria international as somebody who could have transformed the club’s misfortunes in front of goal but, without Champions League qualification, any bid to sign him proved difficult.

Despite having recently signed a contract extension in Naples, football.london understands that they’re still interested in Osimhen. It remаins to be seen whether the west Londoners will lodge a bid but, as they slip down the Premier League table, they may be inclined to act sooner rather than later.

Starting Line-up: Sanchez; James, Badiashile, Colwill, Grimaldo; Caicedo, Fernandez; Palmer, Nkunku, Mudryk; Osimhen.