Chelsea had a very busy summer transfer window, bringing in a host of new players and spending more than £200million along the way.
The plan was for Roman Abramovich 's funds to help Frank Lampard and his squad try and close the huge gap to Liverpool and Manchester City.
So far this season, no team in the Premier League have really kicked on, with inconsistent performances from across the top-flight.
Now the January window is upon us, transfer rumours are coming in thick and fast - and here is a selection of today's most interesting stories.
Newcastle eye Tomori move
Newcastle United are interested in signing Chelsea centre-back Fikayo Tomori on loan in January, according to a report from the Daily Mail.
Steve Bruce is reportedly keen on bringing Tomori, as well as Leicester City midfielder Hamza Choudhury, to St. James' Park on temporary deals.
The Blues central defender has only played just 44 minutes of Premier League action this season and has been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge.
The 23-year-old has slipped down the pecking order due to the form of Thiago Silva and Kurt Zouma at the heart of Lampard's defence.
Giroud drops hint over future
Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud has dropped a fresh hint about his future with the January transfer window now upon us.
Giroud has struggled for starts at the Blues this season and has made just six in all competitions, despite his strong form when he does play.
Now, the 34-year-old has dropped a hint over his future, when talking to Sky Sports.
“We will see what happens in the next few months but I just want to keep my efficiency high. When I am not on the pitch, I just try to be a part of the team," the France international said.
“I really want the best for this team and I really believe we have a big opportunity to win something at Chelsea with this great squad. I will just carry on like this and try to keep it up.”
Championship clubs want Brown
Championship duo Blackburn Rovers and Reading are interested in signing Chelsea's on-loan attacker Izzy Brown, according to The Sun on Sunday (via Football League World ).
Brown is currently on loan at Sheffield Wednesday, but has been restricted to the majority of his appearances coming off the bench.
Due to his lack of game time in Yorkshire, the Blues were looking to terminate his loan deal and sending him elsewhere to get minutes.
Now, the report claims that Blackburn and Reading are waiting for this to happen, so they can look at signing the 23-year-old on loan.
