Chelsea's recent poor run in the Premier League has showed that Frank Lampard's side still have some way to go to be genuine title contenders.
The Stamford Bridge side spent more than £200million in the summer on the likes of Timo Werner, Kai Havertz and Ben Chilwell among others.
And early signs were encouraging, with Lampard's side qualifying for the Champions League knockout stages with ease and topping the Premier League at one point.
However, they have lost three of their last five top-flight matches, winning just one of them - and are expected to spend once again when the January transfer window opens next week.
Here are the latest Chelsea transfer rumours.
Blues to join rivals in Sancho hunt
Chelsea are reportedly set to join Manchester United and Liverpool in the race to sign Borussia Dortmund star Jadon Sancho.
Sancho is still on the radars of Europe's top clubs after United failed to cough up Dortmund's £108million asking price last summer.
The winger hasn't been at his scintillating best this season, but is still expected to be at the centre of a bidding war.
And Chelsea, who spent more than £200m on new recruits last summer, are expected to join the race, according to the Que Golazo podcast.
However, they will have to wait until the end of the season, as Dortmund won't entertain selling the England ace in January.
Noble fears Rice could be on his way
Chelsea target Declan Rice has been tipped as a future England captain by his West Ham team-mate Mark Noble.
And the Hammers skipper fears Rice may not be staying in east London for long as the midfielder continues to be linked with a move to Stamford Bridge.
"He's still learning his trade, he'll get much better with experience," Noble told talkSPORT. "I’m hoping it’s here [at West Ham] but in this game you never know.
"I’m sure he’ll be a top, top player and an even better player in years to come.
"I do believe that if he progresses then he’ll captain England one day. That’s the sort of player he is. He’s such a level-headed kid.
"You’ve got to remember he’s still only 21."
Serie A sides queue up for Chelsea defender
Napoli have joined Inter Milan in the race to sign Emerson Palmieri, according to Forza Italian Football.
Chelsea could look to offload the left-back in the January transfer window with Lampard needing to trim his over-sized squad.
And a bidding war between the two Serie A sides for Emerson's services would help bring in funds for Chelsea's own recruitment plans.
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