Two top class players Chelsea will try to sign this January transfer window - and four they definitely won't

Death, taxes, Chelsea-related transfer speculation. There are some things in this life that are as inevitable as they are laborious, and while we cannot know for certain that the Blues will spend money between now and the end of January, to suggest with any kind of confidence that they won't would be like betting against the sun rising tomorrow.

Mauricio Pochettino's men continue to orbit the seemingly inescapable pull of mid-table, and you suspect that, as with every problem they have faced since Todd Boehly assumed control of the club, their solution to their perpetual malaise will be to throw exorbitant amounts of money at it.

Already, several names have been touted as potential targets this month, and with that in mind, we've taken a closer look at the players Chelsea could sign - and a few they very probably won't - over the coming weeks.

Ousmane Diomande

Ousmane Diomande is a ferociously exciting talent. At just 20 years of age, the towering Ivorian has already established himself as a key component of Sporting CP's defence, and his ascension in Portugal has been nothing short of remarkable. The centre-back is being linked with some of the biggest sides in European football, with Chelsea right amongst the chasing pack.

A report from Football Insider suggests that the Blues are working on a deal that could potentially give them the edge over the likes of Arsenal and Newcastle United, and at this present moment in time, Diomande looks like the most probable central defensive recruit this January.

Marc Guehi

Chelsea do have other options, though. Marc Guehi has been frequently linked in recent times, with the former Stamford Bridge defender seemingly on the radar for a sensational return to West London. Prising him away from Crystal Palace partway through a campaign will be tough, however, and this is a transfer that feels more likely to revisited in the summer, if at all. Make no mistake, whoever eventually wins the race for Guehi will have to fend off immense competition to do so.

Jean-Clair Todibo

France international Jean-Clair Todibo is another player who has been mentioned in relation to Chelsea of late, but it does feel as if a deal is increasingly unlikely, as things stand. The OGC Nice star is also attracting interest from Tottenham and Manchester United, and given Sir Jim Ratcliffe's connections with both the French outfit and the Red Devils, perhaps a move to Old Trafford could be on the cards at some point in the future.

Ivan Toney

If you'd asked us a little while ago, chances are we would have said that Ivan Toney was as likely to join Chelsea as anybody this winter. Speculation linking the Brentford striker with a move across West London has cooled in recent weeks, however, and Arsenal now appear to be leading the chase for his signature. Much like Guehi, whoever lands the forward is going to have to fend of serious interest elsewhere to do so, and right now, it doesn't appear that Chelsea have the burning desire to firm up their interest.

Viktor Gyokeres

Viktor Gyokeres has been nothing short of electric since signing for Sporting CP from Coventry City over the summer, scoring 18 goals and recording a further eight assists in just 21 outings across all competitions. As such, it is completely understandable that there is interest in snatching him away from the Portuguese giants, with Chelsea among those in the frame, but whether or not he would be permitted to leave so soon after joining remains to be seen.

Serhou Guirassy

If Chelsea are to sign a striker in January, then, who will it be? Well, perhaps they will make a move for Serhou Guirassy. The Guinean has been one of the breakout stars of the 2023/24 campaign, and has already hit 19 goals in 16 outings across all competitions for VfB Stuttgart this season. What's more, he is much more available than, say, Gyokeres, with reports suggesting that he could be bought for as little as £15 million this month.

Both Manchester United and Newcastle are understood to be monitoring the 27-year-old's progress, but Chelsea are in the running too, and if they're looking for an instant boost to their striking prospects, then this could a realistic deal for the Blues to pursue.