January Transfer Window: Replacing the Chelsea Pensioners

It's been often mentioned that Chelsea have an aging squad who in the coming years will need to be replaced, and it is a wonder whether manager Andres Villas-Boas will take the opportunity in January to add some younger stars to his squad to provide a platform for the future.

The average Chelsea player is 27.58 years old, which is well above the league average of 26.35, and there are players in the current squad who are actually older than Villas-Boas. Villas-Boas is effectively still managing a team built by Jose Mourinho, and January offers him the opportunity to put his own stamp on the club if the board allow him the funds.

It could be time for a clear-out, followed by an influx of new faces in the new year, but is Villas-Boas willing to take the big risks needed to take the club forward?

Goalkeeper

It's often said that goalkeepers don't hit their prime until they are around 29 or 30,. However, Petr Cech is almost definitely an exception to the rule. At 29, Cech's best years are behind him. He is not the player he was when he was signed by Claudio Ranieri back in 2004.

Bluntly, Cech enjoyed his best footballing years between the ages of 23 and 26. For the past few years has looked a shadow of his former self. Cech will always be a legend in the hearts of the Chelsea fans, but maybe it's time for him to step down in the best interest of the Blues' future title hopes.

To replace Cech, Chelsea already have Thibaut Courtois, who they signed in the summer and have loaned out to Atletico Madrid for the season. He has had a fairly impressive season at Atletico, barring his performance against Barca which I'm sure can be forgiven. However, it may still be a year or so before the youngster is ready to take on the EPL.

Despite being young he is both calm under pressure and confident in his abilities, which are great attributes in a goalkeeper. He could be a future world beater with the right exposure to top-tier football.

Chelsea have another promising goalkeeper in their squad in the form of Matej Delac, who is currently on loan at SK Dynamo Ceske Budejovice. However, the arrival of Courtois means he'll have to really impress if he's to ever get his hands on the No. 1 jersey at Stamford Bridge.

Will Chelsea be adding another goalkeeper to their squad in January?

I think they'll stick by Cech for the remainder of the season and start to give Courtois a first-team run next season.

Defence

Starting on the right, AVillas-Boas has also expressed that Jose Bosingwa (29) and Paulo Ferreira (32) will be moving on in January, so a place needs to be filled at right-back. Ivanovic has done a lot of the filling in so far this season, but he would be much better played in his natural position of centre-back.

Gregory Van Der Wiel has been linked with the Blues in the recent past and has shows talent beyond his 23 years. Van Der Wiel has already clocked up 25 caps for the Dutch national team and has began to solidify himself as the first-choice right-back for the Oranje.

While Manchester City have also been linked with the Dutch star, Chelsea could offer him consistent first-team football. Chelsea just have to wait for Ajax to name their price.

Moving onto the centre of defence, John Terry (31) only has a few years left in the tank and Chelsea will be on the look for a strong defender who likes to get forward. Step forward Gary Cahill, who will no doubt be the hot property of the January transfer window.

Cahill is of a very similar mould to Terry and would be a good fit in the Chelsea backline alongside Ivanovic. However, the Blues will most likely have to battle it out with rivals Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham who will all be vying for the centre back's signature.

If a bid for Cahill fails, then Chelsea have also been linked with Atletico Madrid's Diego Godin, but Villas-Boas could also be tempted by Rolando from his former club Porto.

Of course, Chelsea also have David Luiz among their ranks. However, the young centre back has shown this season that he is prone to mistakes, and it may not be long before he is moved up to an anchorman role in midfield where mistakes will not be as costly.

Left-back Ashley Cole (31) is another player who will need to be replaced sooner rather than later, and Chelsea will be on the look put for a full back who is as comfortable going forward. Jose Enrique of Liverpool would have been a perfect fit, but Dalglish is not going to let the Spaniard leave Anfield anytime soon.

Chelsea have previously shown interest in Porto wing-back Alvaro Pereira and may reignite their interest when the window opens in January. Pereira is Uruguay's first-choice left back and Villas-Boas would need to meet the player's £25.7million release clause to prise him away from Estadio Do Dragao.

Questions could be raised as to whether Ryan Bertrand will ever be of the quality to step up to the Chelsea first team. It is more likely that he will be leaving Stamford Bridge for pastures anew where he will get the first-team football that he needs.

Chelsea are likely to spend big on their back line in January, especially with Villas-Boas's planned clear-out imminent.

Midfield

One of the main concerns in the midfield will be Frank Lampard (33), who is both coming to the end of his career and allegedly being targeted by ex-boss Jose Mourinho for Real Madrid. Lampard has made himself into a Chelsea legend and Blues fans most probably sweat at the thought of losing him. 

Lampard has not found his place in the team as safe as in previous years, with Oriol Romeu and Ramires challenging him for his spot in the Chelsea team, and Jack Wilshere jeopardising his spot in the England side.

Romeu has especially sent out the challenge this season, offering impressive performances beyond his years which have showcased the talent which he has.

While Villas-Boas has recently denied any claim that he wants to sign Jack Rodwell or Luka Modric, either of these would be a great addition to the squad. Rodwell in particular would make a great long term replacement for Frank Lampard, whereas Modric's prospective place has already been filled by Raul Meireles.

Cheick Tiote could be available for a reasonable price if Villas-Boas decides to spend on the midfield, but Chelsea will face a battle with Arsenal if they are to secure his signature.

Forwards

With Nicolas Anelka (32) already confirmed to be joining Shanghai Shenhua in January, team mates Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou and Florent Malouda may not be far behind.

Villas-Boas has already stated that Kalou will be leaving in January with clubs like Arsenal, Liverpool, Marseille and Lokomotiv Moscow all ready to make offers for the Ivorian forward.

Didier Drogba (33) is Chelsea biggest name who is on the move in January, and has been linked to moves all across the world, including Anelka's new club Shanghai Shenhua, EPL rivals Tottenham, LA Galaxy and previous club Marseille.

Malouda (31) has also been linked with a variety of clubs including Russian super-club Anzhi Mackachkala and Atletico Madrid, and would surely be happy of the move after losing his place to Juan Mata.

So Chelsea surely have a lot of work to do in the attacking department in January don't they?

Sturridge and Lukaku have the potential to be great replacements for Drogba and Anelka. However, their inexperience may prove an issue in the bigger games. Lukaku in particular has struggled to rack up EPL games, only managing so far to make three appearances from the bench.

Sturridge, on the other hand, has been flourishing of late in his role as first-choice striker, somehow leapfrogging Drogba, but also putting in the performances to keep himself there.

Mata has also come in for Malouda to finish off the front three, but Chelsea will almost definitely be looking to spend in January to find themselves a prolific striker. Villas-Boas will have to decide whether he will stick by Fernando Torres or cut his losses and spend the money on bringing in an extra forward.

Edinson Cavani has been linked to a host of clubs including Chelsea, but the Blues will face a stern financial challenge from Manchester City, who are also keen on the striker.

Robinho's rumoured move to Chelsea is surely only rumour, as the Brazilian striker probably wouldn't want to return to England after his nightmare spell at Man City. Alex Pato would be a great addition to the team and would follow the theme of young and energetic forwards.

I also think that Carlos Tevez could do a good job at Chelsea if Villas-Boas could tame him. The forward would have something to prove to the EPL, and this could be a great driving force in him returning to glory.

The question would be whether he wanted to stay in England. If so, would City be willing to offload the problematic striker onto a rival?

Chelsea have also hinted at a move for out of favour Juventus forward Milos Krasic who could offer great cover for the front line.

I think Villas-Boas's key concerns in the upcoming transfer window will be his back and front lines, most notably finding replacements for Drogba, Anelka, Terry and a right back. If Chelsea are willing to stand by their manager, then surely the hierarchy will offer him the appropriate funds to strengthen the areas he needs to in his rebuild of the squad.

The January transfer window will likely see Mourinho's Chelsea become Villas-Boas' Chelsea as Villas-Boas reshapes the club to fit his image of the club going forward.