Among the list of five to 10 forward players Chelsea are observing and/or sent scouts to watch their matches, Ipswich Town forward Liam Delap has emerged as a new target in recent months. However, Ipswich will be very reluctant to listen to any offers for the 21-year-old in mid-season because they need him in their battle to avoid relegation.

The opening of a transfer window usually means the opening of the chequebook at Chelsea, but January is expected to provide a break with recent tradition. The club’s hierarchy viewed the summer window as the culmination of a cycle that saw almost the entire first-team squad overhauled and with Enzo Maresca’s team flying high in the Premier League,

Chelsea will soon be in the midst of their first January transfer window under Enzo Maresca and his first port of call should be obvious