Chelsea reverse their stance on January transfers and prepare to secure two major signings aimed at shifting the title race in their favor.

Chelsea have been linked with two standout players from the Bundesliga, both from the same club, and their arrival could significantly bolster the Blues’ Premier League title ambitions.

Enzo Maresca’s side has been one of the season’s biggest surprises, currently sitting second in the Premier League, just four points behind leaders Liverpool, who have a game in hand after last week’s postponed Merseyside derby.

Maresca, who replaced Mauricio Pochettino as Chelsea manager in the summer of 2024, inherited a seemingly chaotic environment after the club signed or loaned 13 first-team players during the summer transfer window, spending a total of around £220m, according to ESPN. However, the 44-year-old Italian has brought stability to the team, aided by standout performances from Cole Palmer.

Interestingly, Chelsea’s large squad has been an advantage, allowing Maresca to rotate heavily for non-league matches, ensuring key players stay rested. For instance, the team recently secured a 3-1 Conference League victory against Astana in Kazakhstan without overburdening their stars.

Despite this, Chelsea still have areas to strengthen if they are to sustain a serious title challenge. Questions remain about the reliability of goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, and aside from Nicolas Jackson’s strong form, the team lacks depth in the striker position.

In response, Chelsea are reportedly eyeing Borussia Dortmund duo Gregor Kobel and Karim Adeyemi as potential January additions, according to Sky Deutschland. Adeyemi, 22, who can play as both a winger and forward, has struggled for regular starts at Dortmund this season. His contract runs until 2027, and he is valued at €35m (£29.1m) by Transfermarkt. Kobel, 27, has been Dortmund’s first-choice goalkeeper since 2021, performing consistently. The Swiss international’s contract extends until 2028, with a Transfermarkt valuation of €40m (£33.3m).

It remains uncertain whether Dortmund would agree to sell one or both players. However, Adeyemi’s agent, Ali Barat, is said to have a good relationship with Chelsea, with reports suggesting the club has been monitoring the forward for some time.

When asked about potential January transfers, Maresca downplayed the speculation, emphasizing the focus on the numerous games remaining before the window opens. “We are not thinking at all about the January transfer window,” he said. “We still have many games before that, including six Premier League matches and two Conference League fixtures.”