Chelsea draw up January target list of three players

Chelsea will back Antonio Conte in the January transfer window as the Blues plan to recruit three players to bolster their squad.

Technical director Michael Emenalo left the club earlier this week – a move which is understood to be a signal of support for Conte, who was unhappy with the club’s summer transfer business.

Owner Roman Abramovich will take a more hands-on role now and the club are planning a spending spree in the winter transfer window with three players wanted, according to the Daily Mirror.

Everton’s Ross Barkley remains a target after they failed to land the attacking midfielder in the summer, while a striker to compete with Alvaro Morata is also wanted.

Chelsea failed to sign Fernando Llorente, who ended up at Spurs and Conte is still desperate to add some more firepower to his side as he remains unconvinced by Michy Batshuayi.

Batshuayi’s Belgium international team-mate, Crystal Palace striker Christian Benteke is on their list of striker targets, as is Red Star Belgrade forward Richmond Boakye.

Chelsea also still want Juventus left-back Alex Sandro – another player they tried to sign in the summer. Although the reports coming out of Italy suggest Juve are desperate to hang on to the Brazilian and are not prepared to sell.