Chelsea is a circus. Honestly, that’s the only way to describe the vibe at Stamford Bridge right now. We’re halfway through the January 2026 window and the script has been flipped so many times it’s hard to keep track of who’s actually holding the pen.
Just a week ago, Enzo Maresca was the man. Now? He’s gone. In steps Liam Rosenior, the former Hull and Strasbourg boss, tasked with cleaning up a squad that feels more like a bloated WhatsApp group than a football team.
If you’re looking for Chelsea FC recent transfer news, you’ve probably seen the headlines about Lucas Paquetá or the "bomb squad" drama. But there’s a lot of noise out there. Let’s cut through it.
The Rosenior Ripple Effect
Liam Rosenior hasn't even had time to unpack his boxes at Cobham and he’s already facing a Carabao Cup semi-final exit hangover against Arsenal. He’s been in the job for about eight days.
The big takeaway from his first week? He’s not rushing into the market. He basically told the press that he wants to "assess" the talent already in the building. It’s a bold move. Most managers would be screaming for a new £60m center-back after seeing the defensive blunders against Arsenal.
Instead, Rosenior is looking at the outcasts.
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The "Bomb Squad" Revival?
The most shocking bit of Chelsea FC recent transfer news involves Raheem Sterling and Axel Disasi. These guys were essentially frozen out by Maresca. Sterling has been training with the U18s and eating lunch away from the first team. He hasn't played a minute of competitive football this season.
Rosenior, however, is opening the door. He called Sterling’s career "outstanding" and mentioned he’s always liked Disasi.
- Raheem Sterling: Currently on £325,000 a week. Fulham is interested, but Rosenior wants a face-to-face chat before sanctioning a move.
- Axel Disasi: Linked with Barcelona and Roma. He hasn't played for Chelsea since early 2025.
It’s a weird situation. Chelsea wants to trim the wage bill, but Rosenior might actually want to use the players they're trying to bin.
The New Faces: Who’s Actually Arriving?
While Rosenior is preaching patience, the recruitment team—led by Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart—is still working the phones.
The name on everyone’s lips is Lucas Paquetá.
The Brazilian midfielder wants out of West Ham. He’s disillusioned with the Premier League after those spot-fixing allegations (even though he was cleared). While he’s been leaning toward a return to Flamengo, his inner circle is reportedly pushing for him to stay in Europe. Chelsea is right there at the front of the queue.
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Then there’s the Marc Guéhi saga.
It feels like we’ve been talking about Guéhi returning to Chelsea for years. He’s in the final six months of his contract at Crystal Palace. Manchester City and Liverpool are circling, but Chelsea’s lack of depth at the back is glaring.
Recent Signings You Might Have Missed
If we look back at the start of this 2025-26 cycle, Chelsea spent a fortune. We’re talking:
- João Pedro from Brighton (€63.7m)
- Jamie Gittens from Dortmund (€56m)
- Alejandro Garnacho—yes, that happened—from Man Utd (€46.2m)
- Estêvão from Palmeiras (€45m)
The problem is, these signings haven't quite clicked yet. Garnacho has struggled for consistency, and young Jorrel Hato, who arrived from Ajax for £35m, is already being linked with a loan move to Strasbourg because he can't get a game.
The Reality of the "Exit List"
Chelsea needs to sell. It's not just about FFP (or PSR, whatever we’re calling it this week); it’s about physical space in the locker room.
Noni Madueke is already gone to Arsenal. Christopher Nkunku moved to AC Milan for €37m. João Félix even took the flight to Saudi Arabia to join Al-Nassr.
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The next names on the chopping block?
Facundo Buonanotte is a weird one. He’s on loan from Brighton but has barely played. There’s talk of a break clause being triggered this month.
And then there’s the injury crisis. Cole Palmer has a minor thigh strain. Robert Sanchez is making blunders that have the fans screaming for a new keeper. It’s a mess, frankly.
What Most People Get Wrong
Everyone assumes Chelsea will just "buy their way out" of this mid-table slump. But Rosenior’s appointment signals a shift. He’s a "coach's coach." He wants to improve what he has.
The biggest misconception in the Chelsea FC recent transfer news cycle is that a blockbuster signing is imminent. Honestly? It's more likely we see three or four departures before we see a single arrival. The club is desperate to recoup some of the €339m they dropped in the summer.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Watch the Sterling situation: If he's in the squad for the next Premier League game, the "Maresca Era" is officially dead and buried.
- Don't buy the Paquetá hype yet: He’s expensive and emotionally settled on Brazil. It’ll take a massive sales pitch from Rosenior to flip him.
- Monitor the center-back market: With Levi Colwill out with an ACL injury, the "wait until summer" plan for a defender might have to be scrapped if Tosin and Fofana don't find some form fast.
Keep an eye on the final 48 hours of the window. That’s usually when Chelsea does something truly unhinged.
For now, keep track of the official "Done Deals" lists, but remember that under Rosenior, the internal "transfers"—getting guys like Sterling back into the fold—might be more important than anyone they bring in from the outside.