Chelsea manager Rafael Benitez has hinted that new reinforcements could be arriving to Stamford Bridge in the January transfer window. Speaking ahead of Thursday's Club World Cup semi-final against Monterrey, the interim manager cryptically said;
"The club is working and always looking for good players, so we'll see if there are any surprises."
With Oriol Romeu picking up an injury against Sunderland last weekend that will likely keep him out of the rest of the season and John Obi Mikel departing for the African Cup of Nations next month, Chelsea have been left with a midfield shortage, particularly in the holding position. In the past few weeks the European champions have been linked with the likes of Newcastle United's Cheick Tiote (though similarly he will be away next month at the African Cup of Nations with the Ivory Coast), Everton's in-form Marouane Fellaini and Corinthians' Paulinho... who could all slot straight in to the Blues' midfield. With Fernando Torres' inconsistent in-front of goal this season, the club have also heavily been linked with a huge move for Atletico Madrid superstar Radamel Falcao. Speaking about Romeu's injury, Benitez sounded downbeat;
"Oriol Romeu was bad news and we weren't expecting something so serious," he said. "He'll be fine for the future, he's a young player."
With so many players expected to be missing in the crucial January period and with Frank Lampard having only just overcome his own injury, it will be interesting to see how many first team and key players Benitez will field on Thursday.