Chelsea have used the smallest number of players in the Premier League this season. Fortunately, as the Blues have not had a European competition to have to deal with the fitness levels are high and Conte’s men continue their flawless march towards the title. While the lot looks solid, there is room for improvement especially when it comes to the substitutes. In order to win it all, Conte will need to negotiate the way he uses his player resources as title contenders such as City, Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United have the ability to cover the absences of names like De Bruyne, Coutinho, Walcott or Pogba. With Oscar gone, Obi Mikel on his way, Fabregas also interested in a move and Batshuayi the only replacement for Diego Costa there is need for fresh faces to provide some depth at Stamford Bridge.
There’s also rumors regarding Courtois’ departure. The Belgium international is once again linked to Real Madrid, a move that is not absolute nonsense considering the keeper’s desire to return to where he made himself noticed – Madrid – but surely a mid-season move is virtually impossible to even contemplate with a Premier League title very much in reach.
Next there’s the attack. Who would agree to join Chelsea for a decent fee and also deliver a considerable amount of goals if the Spaniard has to endure an absence? Well, according to Metro, that person is Javier Hernandez. United’s former striker feels like he still has to show what he’s capable of in the Premier League where he left from a while back. He does look like he could provide the perfect solution for Conte’s possible problems. He is fast, efficient, he knows English football and he has the drive necessary to challenge any striker. The problem is that Leverkusen are asking way too much for him and even if Conte does have the money, it seems unlikely he will pay the German side £34million which is the current rumored price tag.
Last but not least, let`s cover the rumors regarding Courtois’ possible replacements. Right now, there are two major players linked to Chelsea and those players are Atletico’s Jan Oblak and Milan’s Gianluigi Donnarumma. While both represent the future of goalkeeping, they are not quite on the same level as the Blues current keeper. This means that they will have to come to London prepared to sit on the bench which is unlikely for any of the two at this point of time. Even with the promise that they have the spot secured after Courtois leaves, it is impossible to imagine Courtois leaving this January – the concept is just too hard to imagine becoming reality.