Chelsea’s attacking midfielder loan explained – Blues have “free slot” for new player ready

We weren’t expecting Chelsea to do any major business this month – the fact that they’re trying to sign a highly priced defender is already surprising.

Chelsea still want an attacker and a midfielder

Enzo Fernandez gets stuck into a duel. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Well, the Athletic’s DealSheet update on our situation claims that there’s also currently a space in the squad for an attacking option. “Chelsea want to add a midfielder and an attacking player this year,” they write, although a January deal looks highly unlikely.

It’s explains that the Facundo Buonanotte loan, while signed for a year, was only ever meant to be for the first half of the season, while we had the likes of Cole Palmer and Liam Delap injured.

He’s now left the club, leaving us one player down in attacking positions. But we wouldn’t expect anyone to be coming in before the summer, especially if we’re intending to spend on a defender. We’ve got to stay in line with UEFA’s spending restrictions, and until we start

With Emmanuel Emegha already signed up to arrive in the summer, it will be very interesting to see what type of attacker they go for. There are a number of players already on the books who prefer to play as a number 10. And there’s talent out wide.

Perhaps the most sensible move is a midfield controller to effectively replace Romeo Lavia, allowing Enzo Fernandez to be consistently deployed further forward?

In other news…

Speaking of creative attacking players and their injuries, Palmer is back and playing now, but looks miles off it, both physically and mentally. It’s the first time we’ve really been worried about him since he burst onto the scene at Chelsea.

Chelsea are looking to sign a defender this month, but they allowed their former academy player Marc Guehi to go to Man City without even trying to compete on that deal. Simon Johnson has explained why.