Chelsea Transfer News Roundup: Blues not eyeing new striker this month; club want Ousmane Diomande, and more - January 14, 2024

Chelsea secured a hard-fought 1-0 win over Fulham at Stamford Bridge on Saturday (January 13) in the Premier League. Cole Palmer scored from the spot to help his team move up to eighth in the standings.

Meanwhile, the Blues are not planning to sign a new striker this month, as per manager Mauricio Pochettino. Elsewhere, the London giants want Sporting CP centre-back Ousmane Diomande.

On that note, here's a look at the key Chelsea transfer stories as on January 14, 2024.

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Chelsea not eyeing new striker this month, says Mauricio Pochettino

Evan Ferguson was recently linked to Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea are not targeting a new striker this month, according to Mauricio Pochettino.

The Argentinean has seen his team struggle in front of goal. With Romelu Lukaku out on loan at AS Roma and new signing Nicolas Jackson struggling, the Blues have been tipped to dip into the market this month.

The Evening Standard recently reported that the London giants are eyeing a move for Evan Ferguson. However, speaking to the press as cited by ESPN, Pochettino brushed aside those rumours.

"No, I think you know very well I don't talk about rumours. I am never going to talk about players who are in a different club. I am so respectful.

"No, we are not talking. We are assessing the squad, and if something happens, we will communicate, but, at the moment, we didn't take any decision," said Pochettino.

Pochettino insisted that Chelsea are simply assessing their options in the market.

"I never said that we need a centre-forward. No, because after that we create a problem, me with my people. I never said that. I didn't say that yesterday in my press conference that we need (a striker)," said Pochettino.

He continued:

"I said that we are working like another club, trying to assess and see the market, all the different situations that can appear. The most important thing is this club is ready to act and one or another direction, but I never said we need to add another player in the squad."

The Blues have also been linked with a move for Napoli hitman Victor Osimhen recently.

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Blues want Ousmane Diomande

Ousmane Diomande is wanted at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea are keen on bringing Ousmane Diomande to Stamford Bridge, according to Record.

The London giants are expected to sign a proven striker this year, with Thiago Silva in the twilight of his career. Meanwhile, Trevoh Chalobah is also expected to leave soon. Diomande has been identified as an option, and the Blues are monitoring him with interest.

The Ivorian defender has been rock-solid for Sporting this season, appearing 21 times across competitions, starting 20. He's now with his national team at the Africa Cup of Nations, where the Blues are likely to scout him extensively.

Arsenal also have their eyes on the 20-year-old, who has a €80 million release clause in his contract.

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Mauricio Pochettino's job not under threat, says journalist

Mauricio Pochettino is not in danger of losing his job, according to transfer insider Ben Jacobs. The Argentinean took charge last summer but is yet to get going despite investing an expensive overhaul.

The Blues have blown hot and cold, raising questions about his position at a club that sacked two managers last season. However, Jones told GIVEMESPORT that the London giants will only assess Pochettino's situation at the end of the season.

“I am told that Mauricio Pochettino is under no imminent threat of losing his job.

"Chelsea aim to get to the end of the season and carry out a pre-planned and two-way review at the halfway point of the guaranteed part of Pochettino's two-year contract," said Jacobs.

He continued:

"The third year of his contract is only a club option, so it is out of Pochettino's control.

"Naturally, football is a results-driven business, but sources indicate the current phase of the project factors in January and summer of 2024 as part of a four-window strategy."

Jacobs added that the club are convinced that they are moving in the right direction under the Argentinean.

“There is also a feeling Chelsea are creating big chances, and there is an improvement from a purely data perspective in terms of dominance in games compared to Graham Potter.

"This hasn't translated to as many points as anyone hoped, but various factors (injuries, missed chances) are seen as to blame, not just Pochettino," said Jacobs.

Pochettino's team are in the EFL Cup semifinals, where they take on Middlesbrough in the second leg at home on January 23, trailing 1-0 on aggregate.