Chelsea Transfer Rumours: 7 Players Blues Could Land to Improve the Midfield

With Florent Malouda seemingly the latest Chelsea player to be surplus to requirements at the club, Andre Villas-Boas looks set to invest in some fresh talent in January so that the team can compete for the Premier League title over the coming years.

Juan Mata has proved a big hit since arriving from Valencia for £27 million and AVB will be looking to sign players of a similar ability as and when they become available.

Frank Lampard's future at the club has been the subject of speculation, as some people believe his days are now numbered, so here we'll take a look at who has been linked with Chelsea of late and who Chelsea ought to be targeting to improve their squad.

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Newcastle United picked up a bargain when they signed Cheick Tiote in the summer of 2010 for £3.5 million.

Chelsea are now apparently keen on signing the player, but Tiote has stated he's going nowhere and is happy at Newcastle.

Manchester United and Liverpool are also rumoured to be chasing the midfielder, who is now valued at £25 million.

Tiote would slot into the Chelsea midfield in the "Makalele role."

The Daily Mail is reporting that Brazilian star Kaka could be available for £22 million and that Chelsea were already preparing a bid.

Real Madrid signed the player in 2009 for £55 million but look set to take a huge loss if this deal goes through.

Kaka would provide some added creativity to the Chelsea midfield.

Chelsea tried to sign Luka Modric in the summer and are believed to have bid up to £40 million for his services, but the Croatian still remains a Tottenham Hotspur player to this day.

Whether Roman Abramovich rekindles his interest in January is anybody's guess, but Manchester United are now reportedly preparing an offer which will increase his wages substantially.

Perhaps Chelsea may decide to strike.

Lille's Eden Hazard has been the subject of a lot of transfer speculation these past few months and is widely tipped to move on at some point.

Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham and Arsenal are all reported to be interested in the creative winger, but Manchester City may already be preparing a bid of £25 million for the player.

Hazard would be the ideal long-term replacement for Florent Malouda, who is reportedly set to leave the club.

Chelsea have been courting Yann M'Vila from as far back as July this year as a replacement for injured Michael Essien.

Again he is a player that would slot into the "Makalele role" in between the defence and midfield.

The Rennes player is valued at approximately £20 million and has recently told the club he wishes to move on.

Bayern Munich's Bastian Schweinsteiger has reportedly said that he would welcome a move to Chelsea as he prefers their style of play over rivals Manchester United.

Real Madrid is also a possible destination for the player after he recently enquired about the club through friends.

Schweinsteiger is 27 years old so he offers good longevity in a purchase.

Juventus midfielder Milos Krasic emerged as a possible Chelsea target a few days ago as Andre Villas-Boas looks to revamp his Chelsea squad.

Krasic's agent has admitted the player would be keen to join Chelsea and that talks are already underway.

Krasic is a Serbian international with 46 caps.

Chelsea fans will demand only the best players arrive at the club and this list is certainly testament to that.

If any of these players were to arrive at Stamford Bridge, then the other top Premier League clubs would have to take note.

The defensive midfield role is certainly one that needs filling at Chelsea with Michael Essien slowly beginning to train again following is anterior cruciate ligament surgery in July 2011, so perhaps that may be Villas-Boas' priority.

Chelsea have never looked weak in attack this season, but their ability to keep a clean sheet seems to have deserted them for the time being.

It looks set to be a season of transition for Chelsea this campaign unless there are new faces before February.

Click here to read "John Terry: Ranking the potential candidates to succeed him as England captain"

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