Graham Potter has issued ‘complicated’ verdict on Chelsea’s January transfer plans

Graham Potter has already spoken about Chelsea’s January transfer plans ahead of the window opening. The Blues have endured a difficult season so far, currently sitting eighth in the Premier League table and eight points off the top four, albeit with a game in hand to play. It has been a disappointing start for Potter, who is going to need to oversee an upturn in results if he wants to be at Stamford Bridge long-term.

Chelsea want to be playing Champions League football, and they expect to qualify for next season’s edition, at the very least, especially given the money they spent in the summer window. Thomas Tuchel oversaw those transfers - along with the club’s recruitment staff - but Potter has struggled to utilise some of the weapons added. This January, the former Brighton boss will get the chance to put his stamp on the squad, with Todd Boehly likely to sanction incomings, but what has been said about Chelsea’s winter transfer plans?

Shortly after Potter’s arrival in October, the Chelsea boss said: “You have always got to look at January as a complicated window and then as we get closer to January we sit down and discuss strategy and options.

“My job as head coach is to focus on the matches — we’ve had nine, ten matches in October, six away ones, so the focus is on preparing the team and the players that are here. Thankfully we’ve got a good recruitment department emerging, so they can focus on that and my job can be to help the team but also support that area as well.”

Chelsea have money to spend in the winter window, and it will be interesting to see where Potter addresses, now that he has had a chance to assess his squad. What we do know is that a striker is required, with the Blues losing Armando Broja to injury for the rest of the season.