Chelsea will finalise their January transfer plans after next month's international break, with the club's approach hinging on the recovery of captain Reece James, according to former Blues midfielder Gus Poyet.
The Blues signed 10 new first-team players in the summer and are expected to continue evolving their squad in future windows. Midfield is one area where Chelsea look light and may seek to add depth, having sold Enzo Fernandez to Manchester City and missed out on signing Lamine Camara from Monaco at the 11th hour on Deadline Day. James then suffered a knee injury that is expected to keep him out until mid-January.
Poyet on the key factors
Poyet, who played for Chelsea between 1997 and 2001, believes the club should soon be putting the finishing touches on their winter window plans. Speaking to Standard Sport in association with Gambling.com, he said: "I think Chelsea and Alonso will make a good analysis of that. It will depend on the recovery of Reece James, without any doubt, and on any kind of issue you have between now and December. Also on the confirmation that the system is going to be three at the back or four, depending on how you are going to play."
He added: "I think it is a little bit early [right now]. Probably next month, after the international break, we will know a little more. Xabi Alonso, as the one who is responsible, will know which position he would like to cover or where to bring something different, because sometimes it is about the characteristics of the players and not the position."
Top-four target
Chelsea's 2-0 win over Everton last weekend moved them up to fourth in the Premier League table under Xabi Alonso. Poyet is adamant about where they must finish come the end of the season: "A hundred per cent, top four. They need to finish in the top four."
