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Chelsea have been woeful this season, with seven defeats and just three victories from their past 12 matches across all competitions, and have consequently been throwing the kitchen sink at the January transfer market.

Having fortified the offensive ranks with the £9.7m loan signing of Joao Felix and sealing a monumental permanent deal for Mykhaylo Mudryk for £88.5m – also agreeing a £30m fee for Noni Madueke – the west London outfit have more recently seen a £55m opening offer for Brighton & Hove Albion’s Moises Caicedo rebuffed by the South Coast club, there appears to be an onus on bolstering further departments of the field.

The right-back position is an area illuminated for swift investment, with established phenom Reece James missing 16 games due to injury this season and the 33-year-old stalwart and captain Cesar Azpilicueta approaching the twilight stage of his career at Stamford Bridge.

According to L’Equipe, Olympique Lyonnais’ 19-year-old right-back Malo Gusto is being closely monitored by Chelsea technical director Christopher Vivell, with a potential £35m move indeed considered to provide competition for James.

Alphonso Davies 2.0

While James’ position down the right flank provides Chelsea boss Graham Potter with one of the most exciting and eminent in the position in the Premier League, if not the globe, the addition of a talented starlet to push for a starting berth and step in when required could prove the difference in the pursuit of silverware, with marathon seasons indeed calling for healthy rotation.

And Gusto is indeed displaying his worth as one of the most exciting young full-back talents on offer, having made 15 appearances in Ligue 1 this season, his performances and consistency on the pitch belie his youth and inexperience.

As per Sofascore, his impressive league rating this term of 7.10 is an indication of the expanding pool of ability that stems from his core, with his 1.4 key passes and 85% passing accuracy an illustration of his offensive pedigree and the 1.5 interceptions and 2.1 tackles further proof of his dynamic arsenal.

And as per FBref, the Frenchman ranks among the top 15% of full-backs for assists, the top 5% for attempted passes and the top 19% for dribbles completed in Europe’s big five leagues, proving to be an effective offensive outlet from the right flank.

With blistering pace and innate ball-playing ability, the “special” talent – as hailed by Goal – could follow the blueprint of Bayern Munich sensation Alphonso Davies, who is listed as a comparable player to Gusto by FBref.

The 22-year-old Davies has made 135 appearances for the Bavarian outfit since his arrival, scoring six goals and providing 21 assists,  and ranks among the top 7% of positional peers for shot-creating actions, the top 1% for dribbles completed and the top 12% for attempted passes in Europe, showcasing direct similarities to that of Gusto.

£35m might appear somewhat steep for a relatively raw and unknown commodity, but given a platform to nurture his skills and earn his way into a role of greater magnitude with one of the most prominent side’s in world football, Gusto could indeed live up to each and every penny, growing into a lightning-hot force to cement the right-back position at Stamford Bridge as one of the very best any team has to offer.

Everton could well have been handed the ideal opportunity to bolster their attacking ranks this month…

What’s the word?

According to the Daily Mail, the Toffees have been offered Tottenham Hotspur forward Lucas Moura, with the Brazilian speedster seemingly set for a departure from north London.

As the report outlines, the 30-year-old is set to be a free agent at the end of the season after the Lilywhites opted not to extend his current deal, with the former Paris Saint-Germain ace having initially made the £23m move to England four years ago.

Whether the diminutive ace will be moved on in the current window or in the summer is not made clear in the piece, although the hope for Frank Lampard and co would no doubt be to strike an agreement sooner rather than later in order to aid in their bid to stave off the drop.

Fill Richarlison void

It is no real secret that the Merseysiders are in need of further firepower before the deadline, with the struggling outfit having scored just 15 goals in 19 Premier League games so far this term.

While the persistent injury woes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin have no doubt been a factor in that miserable record in front of goal, the Goodison Park outfit also appear to be suffering from the £60m exit of former talisman, Richarlison to north London during the previous window.

The one-time Watford ace was instrumental in keeping the club up last season, having scored ten goals and provided five assists in 30 top-flight games, including netting six goals in his last nine league outings of the campaign.

To lose such a pivotal figure without securing a direct replacement has since had major repercussions for Lampard and co, with Richarlison having also offered the benefit of being able to feature through the middle or in a wide berth.

The loss of the 25-year-old could well be somewhat eased, however, if his compatriot and club colleague Moura is to arrive through the door, with the experienced dynamo potentially able to offer the spark that can ignite Everton’s season.

Although the £90k-per-week man has endured an injury-hit campaign in which he has failed to provide a single goal contribution, the 5 foot 8 dynamo has typically been a reliable presence for Spurs over the years, with 65 goal contributions in 213 games for the club to date.

While the Sao Paolo native may not offer the same physical stature as his current teammate, the 35-cap machine is a real direct threat due to his searing pace, having also been lauded as a player of “incredible quality” in the past by journalist James Ducker.

Not only a figure who can provide that cutting edge in the final third – as evidenced by his stunning, Champions League semi-final hat-trick against Ajax in 2019 – Moura can also be an effective ball-winner in attack, as he ranks in the top 1% in Europe among those in his position for interceptions, as well as in the top 11% for tackles made.

With the Tottenham man also offering the benefit of being able to play in a central role or on the flanks, it could well prove something of a no-brainer for the Toffees to secure his signature.

Having lost that sprinkling of quality following Richarlison’s exit, Lampard’s side could well finally fill that void with the addition of another dynamic and devastating Brazilian in the form of Moura.

Everton were expected to return from the World Cup break refreshed after what had been a taxing first half of the season, however, today’s display suggested anything but.

Frank Lampard’s men fell to a disappointing 2-1 defeat despite taking the lead early on, with a gut-wrenching winner courtesy of Rayan Air Nouri at the death.

It was a true smash and grab from the Old Gold, who only had 42% of the ball all game. The Toffees boasted more shots, shots on target and expected goals, yet could not kill the game off.

With Yerry Mina nodding in the opener after seven minutes, Goodison Park returned to its fiery best as it roared their side’s press into action.

However, with a well-worked set piece of their own, Daniel Podence silenced them with a neat finish from close range.

Then, frustrated by the lack of options in midfield and out wide, Goodison Park returned to its toxic worst.

There were many points of contention across the ground, with fans questioning who had let Lampard down the most. Whilst the toothless nature of Vitaliy Mykolenko may have frustrated fans, outlined in his two failed crosses and 6.3 rating, it was surely Anthony Gordon who will have drawn the most anger.

The 21-year-old continued his barren run and was deservedly marked down by Sofascore, as he earned the worst rating of anyone on the pitch (6.1).

Although he did make an impressive seven tackles higher up the pitch, in an attempt to aid the press, he often left his full-back out to dry with a lack of positional intelligence.

Competing in 19 duels, he would win only six, meaning he lost 69% of them all game.

Then, expected to spearhead their attack, he would let the fans and team down twofold.

Attempting five dribbles, he would be successful in none of them. This was mirrored in his one failed cross too.

However, with the scores at 1-1, it was his one big chance missed that truly capped off his terrible display, as his left-footed strike from close range went straight into the outstretched Jose Sa.

It is a wonder where the “fearless” youngster that Alan Shearer lauded has gone, with the winger a shell of the electric creator that initially broke into the first team.

With the pressure having cranked up on Lampard before the break, this loss will surely spark the rumour mill once more.

He may only have a string of games now to save his game if this Gordon disasterclass was not enough to see him sacked already.

Chelsea are still yet to fully take shape under Graham Potter; with the manager replacing Thomas Tuchel at the beginning of the season, the Blues are yet to truly find their feet under the reins of the former Brighton & Hove Albion manager.

What’s the talk?

The World Cup break couldn’t have come at a better time for the 47-year-old, who could not prevent a three-game skid before the midseason pause, with the defence no longer holding its formidable aura and the attack lacking oil.

Paying close attention to the esteemed competition, Potter will be delighted to witness the endeavours of touted titan Josko Gvardiol, who recently hinted at a desire to leave RB Leipzig in the near future, saying “maybe one day I will be [at Chelsea].”

With Chelsea interested, and Fabrizio Romano now tweeting that the player is set to depart Saxony in 2023, speculation is only set to intensify, with Potter facing a clash against Real Madrid to secure the signature.

In his tweet, the Italian transfer insider said: “Josko Gvardiol race, still open. He will get big transfer in 2023 – Chelsea are still working on the deal but there are other clubs interested, it’s not done yet… as Nkunku is. Been told release clause is not worth €45m.”

Ramos 2.0

Gvardiol’s efforts on the global stage are only illuminating the calibre of the “man mountain” – in the words of Ryan Taylor – who is steadily climbing the ladder toward prominence.

Such efforts have earned recognition, with the colossus being likened to coveted former Real Madrid centre-back Sergio Ramos, with the player himself basing his game on the illustrious legend.

And there is certainly semblance between the two titans, with both adopting the full-back role during the early stage of their respective careers and both possessing technicality and flair that most central defenders can only dream of boasting.

With aggression and an innate ability to repel advances, Gvardiol might just succeed in emulating the coveted former Madridista, and with Los Blancos also eyeing his services, it appears president Florentino Perez shares this notion.

The 20-year-old, valued at an eye-watering £80m, would be worth every penny that Chelsea can offer, with his assurance and ability on the ball a telling sign that a career laden with trophies and individual accolades is set to follow in the 15-cap international’s wake.

The “monster”, as Romano proclaimed in an earlier tweet, recorded a triad of sterling showings in Qatar, an integral part in his nation’s two clean sheets in three matches, with the only goal shipping during the 4-1 victory over Canada.

As per Sofascore, Gvardiol recorded an average rating of 7.3, excelling with his 5.7 clearances and 1.7 interceptions per match, while also completing 90% of his passes.

Having made 19 appearances for Leipzig this term, Gvardiol is truly on the cusp of breaking into the upper end of the copious pool of defensive talent in world football, and at Chelsea he would be able to harness and nurture these abilities, perhaps emerging as the new Ramos as the next era of the sport dawns.

Reported Newcastle United transfer target Martin Terrier would easily be able to adapt to playing in the Premier League, according to French football reporter Jonathan Johnson.

The Lowdown: Newcastle scout Terrier

Last month, 90min reported that the Magpies were among a litany of English top-flight clubs to have scouted the £30m-valued Rennes star off the back of an excellent start to the 2022/23 season.

The 25-year-old has struck 11 goals in 20 games in all competitions for his club this term, including three in the Europa League [Transfermarkt].

There was even genuine hope that he could have been included in France’s squad for the World Cup in Qatar, but an untimely injury a month ago ultimately counted against him.

The Latest: Terrier backed to thrive in England

Johnson was speaking with GIVEMESPORT about Terrier, believing that the winger would thrive in the Premier League if he were to join Newcastle or another English top-flight club.

The journalist said: “I can understand why Newcastle would be taking a look at him. It’s my feeling that after this World Cup, he’ll probably start to play a bit of a role for the French national team as well.

“And obviously, after a fairly slow start to the season, he’s really started to get motoring in Ligue 1 as well. So, there is the possibility that they qualify for the Champions League between now and the end of the season, and obviously that would add a substantial amount to his price tag as well.

“But I think in terms of a fit, he would be able to play and perform at the highest level in the Premier League, but I do think probably needs a bit of consistent exposure to continental football.

“And that’s not something that Newcastle will be able to offer immediately. The assumption is that they will finish in the European places based on how they’re performing in the Premier League so far.”

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The Verdict: He could adapt quickly

As Newcastle supporters can testify, some imports adapt immediately to the Premier League while others can take their time to settle.

While Bruno Guimaraes was an instant hit at St James’ Park after arriving last January, posting their third-highest WhoScored rating for 2021/22, Joelinton was written off as a flop following his big-money 2019 arrival before a positional shift prompted an upturn in fortunes for the 26-year-old.

With Terrier already proving well capable of scoring in European competition and earning favourable comparisons with French football legend Thierry Henry, there seems a strong chance that he would take quickly to Premier League football if he were to swap Rennes for Newcastle.

If he comes to Tyneside and proves to be a smash hit, comparisons will inevitably be made to compatriot Allan Saint-Maximin, another winger who has become a favourite of the Toom Army.

Newcastle United are currently flying high heading into the World Cup break, although that has not prevented talk regarding potential additions in 2023, with Eddie Howe’s squad no doubt still in need of bolstering to provide further quality depth.

One area that has seemingly been a target is a creative addition in the centre of the park, with Leicester City talisman James Maddison having been heavily linked throughout the summer, as well as in recent weeks and months.

The Foxes gem is not the only playmaker who has reportedly caught the eye of the Magpies, with reports in Spain, via Calciomercato, claiming that the Tynesiders are eyeing a potential £40m approach for Real Betis gem, Nabil Fekir, next summer.

The World Cup winner – who had come close to joining fellow Premier League side Liverpool back in 2018 – has been in impressive form for the La Liga outfit in recent seasons, scoring 25 goals and laying on 25 assists in 129 games in all competitions.

The 29-year-old – who previously recorded 115 goal contributions in 193 games at former club Lyon – could well be the creative midfield addition that Howe and co are craving, with the “tremendous” talent, as described by Betis president Angel Haro, likely to add real quality to the club’s ranks.

Any fears over his lack of experience in English football should well be eased by the Frenchman’s likeness to Arsenal skipper, Martin Odegaard, with the pair sharing a number of stylistic and statistical similarities, as per FBref.

That is evidenced by the fact that the latter man averages 5.07 shot-creating actions per game – meaning offensive actions that lead to a shot, such as dribbles, passes, etc – among those in his position in Europe, while Fekir averages only slightly more at 5.6 for the same metric.

The pair are also players willing to take risks as a result of their high ranking with regards to attempted passes, with the La Liga gem ranking in the top 17% for that metric, while Odegaard ranks in the top 19%.

To be compared to the Gunners’ maestro will no doubt pique the interest of Howe and co, with the Norwegian sensation having sparkled at the Emirates of late, playing a pivotal role in Mikel Arteta’s side surging to the top of the table this season with four goals and two assists in 12 league games.

Signing a player such as Fekir could well be Newcastle’s answer to the former Real Madrid starlet, helping the northeast side to try and close the gap on the relentless north Londoners.

Southampton appointing Jesse Marsch as Ralph Hasenhuttl’s possible replacement would be met negatively by supporters, according to journalist Dean Jones.

The Lowdown: Hasenhuttl under pressure

The Saints suffered another disappointing afternoon in the Premier League on Saturday, losing 1-0 away to Crystal Palace courtesy of an Odsonne Edouard goal.

It means that the pressure has been further cranked up on Hasenhuttl, with his side now 17th in the table and with few signs of anything changing for the better.

It was reported earlier this month that Southampton have considered Marsch as a potential successor to the Austrian at St Mary’s, although he too is reportedly fighting for his job at Leeds United.

The Latest: Journalist cools Marsch talk

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Jones claimed that the American would not be a sensible appointment by the Saints and that the fans wouldn’t get behind it given his current struggles at Elland Road.

The journalist stated:

“I think Jesse Marsch’s overall credentials would probably fit with what Southampton would look for. But at the moment, it would, I would imagine, be an unpopular appointment based on the fact that things are going pretty badly for him at Leeds.”

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The Verdict: Would be a risk

It appears to be reaching a stage where the hierarchy at Southampton could be considering a change of manager, with things growing stagnant under Hasenhuttl.

That being said, Marsch wouldn’t feel like an upgrade on him at all given his struggles at Leeds, where he has failed to win over the fan base, and the Saints would need to bring in someone of proven pedigree.

That’s not to say the Leeds boss isn’t out of his depth, having managed in the Champions League with Red Bull Salzburg, but appointing him would be a big risk by the Saints, especially if he becomes available due to getting the sack in Yorkshire.

Celtic have proven themselves astute operators in the transfer market in recent times under current boss Ange Postecoglou, although the Old Firm outfit haven’t always got good value for money over the years, with there having been a number of failed and often costly arrivals at Parkhead.

One such figure who struggled to make an impact in Glasgow was that of former Dundee United striker Nadir Ciftci, with then-Hoops boss Ronny Deila forking out £1.5m to land the polarising marksman from Tannadice in the summer of 2015.

The Turkish marksman had proven himself a reliable goalscorer during his two-year stint with the Tangerines – with 33 goals and 20 assists in 82 games across all fronts – although had also developed a reputation for his on-field antics, earning a ban in 2013 for reportedly grabbing an official by the throat in a Scottish League Cup tie against Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

The imposing striker – who also reportedly kicked future Bhoys teammate Scott Brown in the head in March 2015 – was also facing another suspension amid his move to Celtic Park, after being accused of biting Dundee’s Jim McAllister at the tail end of the 2014/15 campaign.

Despite that controversy surrounding the one-time Portsmouth man as Deila and co made their move, there were those who still seemingly believed that the centre-forward would be a good fit for the Scottish champions, including pundit John Hartson.

The former Hoops striker had dubbed the incoming addition a “very good player” at the time and suggested that “he could be like Chris Sutton”, as a result of his impressive hold-up play when leading the line, with the Welshman also dismissing concerns about that biting incident.

The comparison to that man Sutton was no doubt high praise indeed, with the one-time Parkhead hero having scored 63 league goals and won three league titles during his time in Scotland, proving a real hit after his £6m arrival from Chelsea in 2000.

The Englishman himself had also seemingly lauded the capture of Ciftci at the time, with the pundit insisting that he thought it was a “really good piece of business” for his former club, while also stating: “I really like him.”

Those two figures would, however, go on to be proved wrong as the promising striker went on to distinctly underwhelm in his new surroundings, after initially seeing his involvement hampered as a result of the seemingly inevitable six-game ban.

The struggling flop would score just four goals in 26 appearances in all competitions for the Old Firm outfit over the next few years, having been shipped out on loan just a matter of months into his time at the club.

The former Turkey U19 international would endure further temporary spells away from his parent club before his eventual exit in the summer of 2018, with Brendan Rodgers and co opting to cut ties with a year still to run on the player’s existing deal.

Now 30, the £248k-rated ace has spent much of the last few seasons back in his homeland since that exit, before making a surprise return to Scottish football in January to join St Johnstone, although failed to score in 12 appearances for Callum Davidson’s side.

The journeyman now plies his trade for Greek second-division side Makedonikos, having failed to ever it the heights that both Hartson – and Sutton – had tipped him to achieve.

Wolverhampton Wanderers seem to have been handed the short end of the stick with regards to a transfer switch back in 2020.

When Diogo Jota went to Liverpool for £41m, in return they splashed out £13.5m for youngster Ki-Jana Hoever.

The 20-year-old had played just four senior games for the Reds before switching Anfield for Molineux, and the rarely-seen move raised eyebrows that Nuno Espirito Santo was willing to invest so heavily in such an unproven youngster.

Since then, having played just 25 games for the Old Gold, he is now seeking first-team football out on loan for PSV Eindhoven.

In his eight Premier League appearances last season it was clear how out of his depth he was, averaging a SofaScore rating of 6.60 across this period.

He was gifted his first team chance, and he failed to take it.

As time rumbles on and he continues to be no closer to this breakthrough, it heaps more and more pressure on a price tag that should never have been unloaded upon his shoulders.

Not only this but to hand him a wage of £40k-per-week means that across his 105 weeks in the Midlands he has rinsed the club for £17.7m in total.

This loan back to his home country marks a huge stage in his career, of which he simply must succeed to continue his development.

Fortunately, he has started well. An average SofaScore rating of 7.10 in his first four games for his new side is promising, and with the right back spot more than up for grabs he must take advantage of this opportunity or else watch Bruno Lage select his long-term replacement from the transfer market.

He has so far flopped badly since making the move away from Liverpool, resigned to the fact that Trent Alexander-Arnold is immovable.

If he is not careful, however, he could be once again pushed to the wayside unless he matures fast and stakes a valid claim for the spot.

Leeds United could make a late move to sign Wolves winger Adama Traore in the final hours of deadline day, according to journalist Dean Jones.

The Lowdown: Traore a Whites target

The Spaniard was deemed surplus to requirements at Molineux midway through last season, joining Barcelona in what was arguably a surprise January move.

Traore’s loan spell at the Nou Camp swiftly ended in the summer, however, and with Bruno Lage still not seeing a future for the 26-year-old, Leeds have been linked with signing him.

While talks seemed to have cooled in recent weeks, a deadline day twist has emerged.

The Latest: Late move could now happen

Speaking to Give Me Sport, Jones said that Traore joining Leeds is now a possibility again due to the collapse of the Bamba Dieng deal:

“Leeds are now tempted to turn back to players they have had an interest in for some time. Hwang is an obvious one but also look out for Adama Traore.”

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The Verdict: Worth the risk?

Traore has his detractors, with a lack of end product cited as a reason for it – he has scored 12 goals in 158 games for Wolves, and got one in 21 for Barca  – but it could be worth Leeds taking a late punt on him after their move for Dieng fell through.

The Spain international, dubbed a ‘game changer’ by Noel Whelan, has incredible speed at his disposal, not to mention unpredictability, and Jesse Marsch may feel he can get the best out of him. Tim Sherwood has said he ‘destroys’ players, which aptly sums up the threat he poses.

Traore would certainly be an entertaining signing but his game would have to go up a level if he was to be a genuine success story at Elland Road, with current his game not overly dissimilar to the departing Dan James.