Christian Pulisic says Chelsea's squad are ready for the challenge of fresh competition should new signings arrive this month.
After seeing their Fifa transfer ban reduced on appeal by the Court of Arbitration for Sport in December, the Blues are now free to spend and are keen on both Crystal Palace's Wilfried Zaha and Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho, both of whom would provide competition for Pulisic.
The American, who signed for Chelsea from Dortmund last January before being loaned back to Germany until the summer, played 66 minutes at Brighton on Wednesday as Frank Lampard's tired side failed to make their early dominance count before dropping two points as the result of Alireza Jahanbakhsh's stunning late equaliser.
Chelsea looked a side in need of fresh impetus this month and Pulisic believes the current players will be up for the fight.
"It is normal, teams look to improve and if players do come in there is competition. That is how it goes, so we'll be ready for that and hopefully we'll have players that come in and want to help us."
Zaha seems the most obvious option for Chelsea in January, with the winger having made his desire to leave Palace for a shot at starring on the Champions League stage very clear.
However, while the Eagles will consider serious offers for their talisman, chairman Steve Parish will accept nothing less than their valuation of at least £80million.
While Chelsea's attacking talents have all starred in their own right at different points this season, they all looked out on their feet on New Year's Day following a gruelling festive season that saw them claim impressive wins at Tottenham and Arsenal but drop points to Southampton and Brighton.
Having taken the lead on Wednesday through Cesar Azpilicueta's goal from a set-piece, Chelsea failed to capitalise, with their play too slow and the team sloppy going forward.
"After we scored the first goal it was just about continuing and just not stopping there, making it two or three and putting the game to bed," said Pulisic.
"We've had troubles with that this year and then in the end, they fought until the end, scored a great goal and that is how it goes."
