Vlahovic, Guehi? AI predicts Chelsea's January transfer window with Maresca to land bargain deals
Chelsea will need to strengthen again in January and AI has had a go at predicting who could be targeted.
Chelsea’s promising summer has yet to be realised into a more positive season with Enzo Maresca coming under fire already.
The high of winning the Club World Cup hasn’t lasted long with the Premier League table not lying. Too many goals have been conceded and too many red cards have been shown to players with blue shirts on much to the frustration of the manager. Injury to Liam Delap and a suspension for Joao Pedro hasn’t helped with inconsistency in defence being caused by too many centre-halves being in the treatment room rather than the dressing room.
AI predicts who Chelsea will target in January
What is certain, is that Chelsea will look to strengthen again in January and Grok, X’s artificial intelligence programme has given some suggestions as to who Maresca might sign. Looking at three positions, Grok has given the names of players who could be targeted as well as possible alternatives.
Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace)
This is what Grok had to say about signing Marc Guehi: “Why? Chelsea's defence has shipped 12 goals in 7 PL games, with injuries to Badiashile and Fofana exposing Colwill's inexperience. Guehi's a proven PL leader (England international, Palace captain), homegrown (eases squad rules), and his summer saga with Liverpool collapsed—leaving him unsettled. Palace are already scouting replacements like Ousmane Diomande and even Chelsea's own Josh Acheampong as a cheeky swap bait. At £60-70m, it's a no-brainer for Maresca's possession style. Alternative: If Palace dig in, Benfica's Tomás Araújo (£40m) as a younger gamble—targeted since summer but less PL-ready.”
A new striker for Chelsea?
Dusan Vlahovic (Juventus)
A new striker has also been predicted with Grok claiming: “Dusan Vlahovic at a bargain €10-15m if his contract sours—linked heavily, but (Manchester) United are favorites. Or a cheeky Ivan Toney loan (Brentford talks ongoing) for PL nous without big spend.” Vlahovic has six goals and one assist in 10 appearances this season but is out of contract in the summer of 2026 and the Italian giants are keen to get the 25-year old off the wage bill. Capable of bullying defenders and of linking play, Vlahovic is a an experienced operator at the top end of European football and perfect for the Premier League.
Grok doesn’t entirely have their finger on the pulse with Nkunku already having left Chelsea to sign for AC Milan and Osimhen agreeing to join Galatasaray on a permanent deal before the transfer window shut. Dusan Vlahovic is a decent shout given his experience, physicality and ability to score goals. He would offer the depth that Chelsea need without breaking the bank in terms of a transfer fee. Guehi would be the perfect signing, however, whether the Crystal Palace would turn down the likes of Liverpool, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich to compete for a place at Stamford Bridge remains to be seen.