Chelsea have seen the wheels fall off their push for the Premier League title in the last month, with a sequence of draws setting them back.
Thomas Tuchel's side are 10 points adrift of the defending champions and face a significant challenge if they are to claw their way back into the running.
Further business could be required from the Blues this month in order to provide the momentum needed in order to do so but there could also be outgoing business on the cards.
One of those likely to be on his way out in 2022 is Antonio Rudiger, with Sky Sports reporting a wealth of top European clubs have opened talks regarding a pre-contractual agreement.
Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich and Juventus are all said to have opened talks with the 28-year-old German, who is out of contract at the end of the season.
Regulations mean that Rudiger could agree terms of a departure this month to complete a deal, with a move then taking place at the end of the season.
Further defensive issues are also orientating around Andreas Christensen, with Gianluca di Marzio stating contract negotiations have stalled and Barcelona are lying in wait.
The 25-year-old is one of four defenders seeing their deals at Stamford Bridge expire this summer, along with Rudiger, Cesar Azpilicueta and Thiago Silva.
Finally, Azpilicueta is attracting interest as AS reports Atletico Madrid are keen on bringing in the Spaniard as a replacement for Kieran Trippier.
The England international is widely expected to seal a move to mega-rich Newcastle United in the January transfer window and Diego Simeone is keen on his versatility.
Like the aforementioned moves, a switch would take place in the summer but could be one of three deals wrapped up this month.
