Top 5 English clubs - Positions they need to strengthen and the players they should sign in January

#3 Chelsea

Positions that need strengthening - Left wingback

Crystal Palace shocked Chelsea with a 2-1 victory

Antonio Conte's Chelsea have hardly been at their best this season. In the 2016/17 season, at this juncture they were placed at top of the pile. This season has not been kind to them, currently struggling with 32 points out of a possible 48, 11 points behind leaders Manchester City after Gameweek 16 with one extra game played.

Chelsea lost to Burnley at home on the opening day of the season, and further lost to last-placed Crystal Palace which were the two defeats that should have been avoided with the potential that the squad has. This weekend's loss to struggling West Ham along with the humiliating 3-0 loss to AS Roma in the Champions League is what made it clear that there is a need to sign players in the winter transfer window if they are to challenge on all possible fronts.

The move to replace Nemanja Matic with Bakayoko has not worked very well for Chelsea

The summer transfer window saw the arrivals of Alvaro Morata, Tiemoue Bakayoko, Danny Drinkwater and Davide Zappacosta while Nemanja Matic and Diego Costa departed. Although the players who were brought in have enough potential, Conte has not been able to figure out the best eleven which has resulted in a poor start to the season.

Morata has been in a good signing for Chelsea

Most positions are covered for Chelsea, with backup required only for Marco Alonso at left wingback. A busy season looms ahead, when the fixtures begin to get cramped due to the FA Cup and Champions League fixtures post January.

Players need to be given enough rest to keep them fresh, and with Marcos Alonso the only choice at left wingback in a 3-4-3 formation, it would be difficult for him to play all season long without rest. Last season was different, as Chelsea were not part of the Champions League which is a physically demanding tournament.

Alex Sandro (Juventus) was linked with Chelsea throughout the summer transfer window, but due to his incredible exploits with Juve last season, a hefty price tag of around £60 million will need to be paid. He is an instinctive defender as well as extremely able in attack, and he definitely has the capability to become the first choice ahead of Alonso at Chelsea.

Sandro would definitely be a better fit at Chelsea, and would provide them with all-important squad depth that they so badly require.

Danny Rose (Tottenham) has also been linked with a move to West London, after getting limited game time this season. He is pacy and he loves attacking on the left flank, which is different to what Alonso offers as his is a game of strength and holding onto the ball.

Danny Rose may leave Tottenham in January