Falcao in and Sturridge out as Chelsea plan massive transfer spree

Chelsea are stepping up their bid to sign Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao after agreeing to sell Daniel Sturridge to Liverpool.

Standard Sport revealed earlier this month that Sturridge would join Brendan Rodgers’s side next month after making it clear that a move to Anfield was his only choice.

Chelsea will reinvest the funds from his £12million transfer as part of a spending spree on at least three players during the transfer window, with Falcao their main target.

Club officials have already been to Madrid to open negotiations with Atletico, who would prefer to sell him to Chelsea rather than fierce rivals Real Madrid.

Chelsea are favourites for Falcao’s signature and owner Roman Abramovich is prepared to pay the £48m release clause in his contract as well as give him a salary that matches that of Fernando Torres’s £175,000 a week.

It has been reported in Spain that Abramovich also intends to fly the Colombia international to London to have a tour of the city and the club’s training facilities to help convince him to make the move to Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea turned down the chance to sign Falcao in the summer when they decided to make Torres their No1 striker and ensure there was little competition for his place. But that decision has backfired, with the Spaniard failing to deliver in key matches in the Champions League and Premier League this season.

The club always planned to sign at least one forward in January because of the lack of strength in depth up front and Sturridge’s desire to quit Stamford Bridge. Other options have been looked at, just in case the deal for Falcao falls through.

Manchester City and Paris St Germain are also in the hunt for the player but Atletico, second in La Liga, are determined to resist offers next month while the player himself is believed to want to stay until the end of the season.

Gonzalo Higuain, Edinson Cavani, Theo Walcott, Loic Remy, Andre Schurrle and Demba Ba have all been monitored by Chelsea over the past 12 months.

Chelsea are unwilling to off-load Sturridge until they find a replacement.Sturridge, who joined from Manchester City for £6.5m in 2009, has scored 24 goals in 96 appearances for Chelsea, but nearly half of those have been as a substitute and he has rarely played in his favoured position as a centre-forward.

Juan Mata: 'We have to be ready for Leeds United'

Chelsea midfielder Juan Mata has insisted that he and his teammates must move on from their Club World Cup defeat and be ready to face to Leeds United tomorrow. 

Chelsea travel to Elland Road in the League Cup with just a day's rest between their return from Japan and tomorrow's encounter. 

"We came to Japan to try and win this trophy and in the end we are not champions. Corinthians won and we are really sad," Mata told the club's official website. 

"We have to carry on, continue trying to win as many matches as we can, try to win the next game against Leeds which is going to be tough. 

"We want to win this competition as well. When we arrive in England we have to be ready for the Leeds game." 

It will be the first time Chelsea have faced Leeds since 2004. The match kicks off tomorrow at 7.45pm.

Lampard warns Chelsea stars of Leeds rivalry

Frank Lampard has warned Chelsea’s foreign legion not to underestimate Leeds as the old enemies prepare to renew their long and bitter rivalry in the League Cup quarter-finals.

Lampard is one of the few players in Rafael Benitez’s squad with experience of the bitter nature of clashes between Chelsea and Leeds as the clubs haven’t met since 2004.

And the England midfielder has been quick to point out to Chelsea’s numerous overseas signings that a visit to Elland Road in the League Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday is more than just any old fixture.

Leeds may be stuck in mid-table in the Championship at present but, under fiery boss Neil Warnock, Lampard knows they are sure to be up for a match that brings back memories of a ferocious rivalry born in the 1970s when both teams were regularly competing for silverware.

The most infamous meeting between the clubs, who are often regarded as emblematic of the cultural divide between the north and south of England, came in 1970 when Chelsea won a brutal FA Cup final replay at Old Trafford.

“There’s a rivalry, we’re aware of it and we have to play on the pitch with passion and do the physical side of things up there, because they’re going to be right at it,” Lampard said.

“We can’t expect to go up there and tap it around and get a result. We have to do both sides.”

Spain winger Juan Mata, who moved to Stamford Bridge at the start of last season, added: “Lampard told me about the rivalry. He told me the Seventies was when it started.

“They are always difficult games, competitive between supporters. We just want to play and, if it is possible, to win.”

As well as coping with fired up Leeds, Chelsea must somehow lift themselves physically and mentally from their gruelling trip to Japan, where they were beaten in the Club World Cup final by Brazilian side Corinthians on Sunday.

Lampard, who captained Chelsea in Japan in the absence of the injured John Terry, admits the Blues have plenty of room for improvement after a traumatic season marred by the sacking of boss Roberto Di Matteo and an early exit from the Champions League.

“You can’t go and win every tournament every year. We’ve never done that. No-one does it,” he said.

“We’ve changed the personnel a bit this year and there’s been a bedding-in process and we’ve changed the manager, so there’s been quite a few circumstances this year.

“We just have to try to improve and play better, simple as that.

“Win this match and we’re in the semi-final and with the possibility of a decent draw.”

The 10 attacking players Chelsea are most likely to sign in January

With the transfer window fast approaching, who will Chelsea sign next month?

We have read and reported the transfer rumours, and come up with a list of 10 midfielders and forwards the Blues are most likely to sign...

Falcao

Make no mistake about it, Falcao is Chelsea's number one target for January 2013. It's been that way pretty much since he scored a hat-trick against them in the European Super Cup, and his form of late has done little to dissuade them otherwise; he scored five past Deportivo a fortnight ago and netted against Barcelona at the weekend. He will cost around £50 million, but Manchester City and Real Madrid may attempt to sign him too, and Atletico, second in La Liga will to their best to convince him to stay until the end of the season.

Theo Walcott 

Arsenal's contract rebel, Theo Walcott looks set to explore his options in January, and Chelsea have a long-standing interest in the attacker. The Englishman would arguably be an upgrade on Daniel Sturridge who looks set to sign for Liverpool. Arsenal may be forced to cash in on him, or risk taking their chances of losing him on a free in July.

Marouane Fellaini

Everton's key man Marouane Fellaini has been regularly linked with a move away from the club, and the Toffees will fancy their chances of fetching up to £30 million for the midfielder who is enjoying his best season to date. A recent suspension means he will be rested for January, and even with the Merseysiders in the midst of a Champions League push, David Moyes would certainly love a windfall like the above to spend on new players. Fellaini would add balance to Chelsea's midfield and join the club's growing array of Belgians.

Miralem Pjanic

Roma's Bosnian midfielder Pjanic has emerged as a potential replacement for Frank Lampard at Chelsea and is busy impressing in Serie A. Only 22, he is valued at £14 million and fits the profile for emerging young talent Roman Abramovich is looking for. At half the price of Fellaini, he could be a shrewd acquisition, and was linked with the club just this week.

Fernando Llorente

It is well known Fernando Llorente will leave Athletic Bilbao at the end of the season, but if the club receive an attractive offer there is every chance they will cash in on the Spaniard. Rafa Benitez would enjoy luring a fellow countryman on board and Llorente would be a cut-price alternative to Falcao, a fifth of the price.

Lazar Markovic

It was reported last week that Chelsea had done a deal for Serbia's emerging talent Lazar Markovic, and while that was denied by the club, expect this one to be revisited. Markovic at 18 is already a full international and the Blues would be well advised to act early to bring him on board rather than pat more down the line, and could even agree to loan him back to Partizan Belgrade until the end of the season.

Andre Schurrle

Chelsea's interest in Andre Schurrle is well-documented, the German striker was linked with a deadline day switch back in August but the Blues were unable to agree a fee with Bayer Leverkusen for the versatile forward. Schurrle is just 22-years-old and has five goals and six assists so far this season, and Chelsea could throw Marko Marin into the deal in part-exchange or loan to convince Leverkusen to sell.

Benat

Another option for Chelsea's central midfield berth is Real Betis' Spanish international Benat. The midfielder has a buyout clause of £14 million and Rafa Benitez' knowledge of the Spanish market could see him look to snap him up. He is a more accomplished version of Oriol Romeu, who Benitez was keen on, and the price could work, leaving money for new faces up front. 

Bafetimbi Gomis

A player with considerable momentum behind a transfer move to Chelsea is Bafetimbi Gomis. The Lyon striker is enjoying a fine season, and commented yesterday that he is 50-50 to leave the club in January. Canal+ have reported that Chelsea are in talks with Lyon over his signature, and this is one to watch, although Liverpool are also interested in the forward.

Willian

A player who nearly signed for Chelsea last January, Willian made them regret missing out on him in the Champions League this season. While Shakhtar's progression may tempt the Brazilian to stay, the player is keen on leaving Ukraine and has repeatedly said he would like to play in England. He would likely cost around £30 million, so Chelsea may feel a striker and central midfielder are priority over a playmaker, but Willian's arrival cannot be ruled out.

Who should and shouldn't be on the list? 

Brazilians discover Chelsea's tactical secrets in dressing-room litter

Chelsea's Frank Lampard with his loser's medal after the Club World Cup final against Corinthians. Photograph: Lintao Zhang/Getty Images

Journalists from the Brazilian website Globoesporte have discovered details of Chelsea's tactical preparation for major matches after rooting through the rubbish bins in the English club's dressing room following their 1-0 Club World Cup final defeat to Corinthians on Sunday.

The website has published photographs of crumpled print-outs showing where Chelsea's players should be positioned at both attacking and defensive corner kicks, exhorting players in large red capital letters to "be aware of counter attack" while pushing forward, and to "immediately [push] up after we clear first ball" when defending set-pieces. The pictures also show that Chelsea's cornertakers were told to signal where they were planning to send the set-piece by either raising or lowering their arm.

Globoesporte describe how their journalist found the information. "Among sandwiches, energy drinks and broken sports equipment, the British left in the dressing room simple notes about O Timão [Corinthians] and detailed explanations of what each player should do at set-pieces," they write.

The name of Paolo Guerrero, the Peruvian whose goal was to decide the game, is frequently abbreviated to Guerro – "A situation that may be a mistake or just an abbreviation," according to Globoesporte.

Chelsea looking to sign Gomis

Everyone is expecting Chelsea to pay out a huge amount of money in a couple of weeks time to bring Falcao to Stamford Bridge.

In addition to that, it's looking almost certain that Daniel Sturridge will seal a move to Liverpool. So, Chelsea need a backup or at least someone to come in and give Fernando Torres a run for his money at Chelsea.  

Well, it reports are to be believed, Chelsea WILL make their move next month but on Bafetimbi Gomis from Lyon who people have likened to the legend that is Didier Drogba.

Now, I do not know much about him but having watched the video below I can see he is strong, is two footed and has a fantastic eye for a goal.

With Chelsea's failure to qualify for the Champions League knockout stages, failure to win the UEFA Super Cup and now the Club World Cup, I simply do not see Chelsea paying £30-£40m on a signing in this coming window.

As for Gomis? Both Chelsea and Liverpool are reportedly interested and looking to make a move next month but with Liverpool signing Sturridge, Chelsea should be free to sign him as Lyon have well documented financial problems and would welcome a move by Roman Abramovich.

Tom Ince & Daniel Sturridge are set for Liverpool

Brendan Rodgers has warned Liverpool's problems will not be solved by the deals he aims to complete in the January window.

Liverpool are set to be one of the most active clubs next month and they will unveil Daniel Sturridge and Tom Ince within days of the window opening.

Sturridge is heading to Merseyside from Chelsea for around £12million, while Ince is poised to return to Anfield at a cost of £6million less than 18months after he was allowed to join Blackpool.

Those players will give Liverpool a depth to their striking options that has been lacking  all season but Rodgers has made it clear they will not provide the answer to other issues which must be addressed.

Though Liverpool are not too far off the top four, the 3-1 weekend defeat to Aston Villa provided a timely reminder that Rodgers' squad are short of the necessary class to be considered Champions League contenders.

'There is a bigger picture for sure and it goes back to affordability,' said Rodgers. 

'We will spend money in January to try and bring fresh faces and give us that support at the top end the reality is all the names bandied about are they going to be available? 

'Certainly we will bring in what we can and help us and then we will revisit it again. All our problems were never going to be solved in this window because the January window is one of the least productive and the least movement goes on there. 

'But we will look to solve some of our problems then and then we will look to revisit it in the summer knowing that in the summer we will be in a much better placed then we were the previous summer.'

The previous window ended in farce, as Liverpool missed out on signing Clint Dempsey from Fulham, but Rodgers is adamant the situation now in terms of recruitment is vastly different. He has no doubt Fenway Sports Group, Liverpool's owners, will back him.

'There is no doubt we will get reinforcements in and there is no doubt that we will get the backing, but it will come down to two things,' he said. 'The availability and affordability of players.

'I see lots of names bandied about and with all due respect names that are pie in the sky because there won't be too many top players moving about in January because clubs want top money. 

'But there is no doubt that we want to bring in goals and we want to bring in players who can assist in scoring goals. 

'If we can do that then that will set us up and then we can really reinforce again when the market opens up in the summer again.' 

At the double: Liverpool are set to sign Daniel Sturridge and Tom Ince in January