Chelsea tipped to circle back for ex-Leeds United player Gary Neville thinks is 'level above'

Chelsea are being tipped to circle back for a past target as they look to continue their spending during the January transfer window. The Blues have improved over the last couple of weeks, picking up big results against Tottenham and Manchester City after another frustrating start to the season.

Mauricio Pochettino was handed a number of new signings during the summer transfer window, but the immediate impact wasn't felt. Since then, the likes of Nicolas Jackson and Cole Palmer have had a bigger say on games, and Chelsea are starting to gain a little confidence.

It will now be interesting to see whether the Blues continue their spending in January, given they have already spent £1billion in the last 18 months or so. Reports in Spain claim they could continue spending and that they could circle back for a former target.

Sport claim Barcelona star Raphinha could be of interest, with the winger having been close to a move from Leeds United to Stamford Bridge ahead of his Camp Nou switch. Raphinha enjoyed a solid first season with Barca, but amid the emergence of Lamine Yamal and amid struggles to operate in Xavi Hernandez's system, he has struggled this term, starting just three league games.

The report claims Barca could now move to cash in during the January window, and both Chelsea and Newcastle United are credited with interest. Although, it seems unlikely the Magpies will use what little Financial Fair Play space they have to sign a winger, given they need both a centre-back and a holding midfielder.

Chelsea may be in a different situation, even if they have competition out wide, and it would be interesting to see them bury the hatchet after Raphinha left them at the alter to join Barca. Then again, some players are worth forgiving, and Gary Neville certainly thinks so based on what he said during the Brazilian's time at Leeds United.

“He’s a top player, I think if they were to go down then a lot of clubs would be looking at him,” Neville once told Sky Sports.

“I know he was left out towards the end of the [Marcelo] Bielsa reign, people saying he was inconsistent, but every time I’ve watched him I think 'I wouldn’t like to play against him'. He’s certainly a level above the players they have on the bench. Raphinha being out tonight is a blow."