The winter transfer window is done and dusted for another year and Chelsea brought in no new faces but did manage to get a few off their books.
Danny Drinkwater and Fikayo Tomori left the club for six months to AC Milan and Kasimpasa respectively, Baba Rahman found a new loan club in PAOK, Lucas Piazon left permanently after eight years and three first team appearances while youngster Jack Wakely was the only departure on deadline day as he joined up with Brighton’s under-23s.
The appointment of Thomas Tuchel as manager to replace Frank Lampard effectively nixed any chance of Chelsea bringing in new faces on deadline day as the German head coach is willing to give every player a clean slate.
There were plenty of links and stories reporting Chelsea wanted to sign Declan Rice but football.london has reported previously that West Ham were never entertaining the thought of selling their prized asset.
Lampard’s departure effectively ended their pursuit of Rice as it was the former Blues midfielder who was driving the chase to bring the England international across the capital from the Hammers.
So who were the winners and losers from the winter window for the club? We take a look.
Winners
Jorginho
The Blues midfielder would have been under serious pressure for his place at the club if Chelsea had completed the move for Declan Rice – and if Frank Lampard was still in place as manager.
But with Lampard gone and the prospect of Rice signing also falling away as a result, Jorginho is one of the winners of the transfer window.
He’s also started the first two games of Tuchel’s reign at the club, N’Golo Kante’s return to the team might change that, but for now, Jorginho is getting a chance to prove his worth.
Marcos Alonso
The left back was one of the main candidates to be sold during the transfer window, especially if Lampard remained in post.
However, with the manager’s departure and Tuchel’s arrival, Alonso – like many others – will be given another chance with a clean slate/.
Alonso started for the first time in four months on Sunday for the 2-0 win over Burnley, typically he scored an absolutely outstanding goal (he doesn’t do bad goals) and looks to have a shot at redemption.
Antonio Rudiger
Another player who, if Lampard remained at the club, was on his way out but has been brought back in from the cold.
Fikayo Tomori was the defender who did leave the club having joined AC Milan on loan for the rest of the season as Rudiger, Andreas Christensen, Thiago Silva and Kurt Zouma all stayed at the club.
Rudgier played the last two games of Lampard’s reign and has started both of Tuchel’s games in charge. Tuchel’s want to play three centre halves benefits Rudiger as well as he looks far more comfortable in a back five than a four.
Losers
Andreas Christensen
One of the four central defenders on the books whose game time now looks very limited in terms of prospects, not just because he hasn’t left the club in search of it but also with Cesar Azpilicueta playing as a third centre half for Tuchel.
Christensen is arguably at the bottom of the pecking order when it comes to centre backs now behind Zouma, Rudiger and Thiago Silva.
Out of contract at the end of next season as well, there could be an extended spell on the bench in the pipeline for the Danish defender.
Emerson Palmieri
The resurgence of Marcos Alonso may have put Palmieri down to third in the Blues pecking order at left back//left wing-back with Ben Chilwell in the equation as well.
The latter hasn’t quite had the start that was hoped after his £50million move but is still the number one but now faces pressure from Alonso.
That leaves Emerson looking on from the sidelines still, much like he has done for the majority of his Blues career.
Kepa
The Blues stopper is the number two at the club and may well have wanted a move away to play regular football but that wasn’t forthcoming.
There are many reports claiming that Marina Granovskaia is determined to see some sort of repayment on the Blues’ massive £71million outlay two and a half years ago but with Edouard Mendy firmly the number one, Kepa will be reduced to cup appearances for the foreseeable future.
Tuchel will be giving most, if not all, players a clean slate but whether Kepa does is very much in question.
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