Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas has hinted at the possible addition of a striker during the January transfer window.
With Nicolas Anelka confirmed to be moving to Shanghai Shenhua, and Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou set to link up with their Ivory Coast team-mates for the African Cup of Nations in January, the Blues will be left with just three recognised forwards.
Villas-Boas claims this is a situation he will be looking to address, but says he will not be forced into panic buying and is hoping to capture Gary Cahill’s signature before any more business is done.
The Chelsea boss told reporters: “We are looking for talent, the best talent available, but the January transfer window is notoriously difficult because the talent is not available, and even when it is it’s always at extra cost.
“Hopefully we can get the Cahill deal wrapped up, then we will study the forward situation. You have to pay heavily for the talent we need. It can get frenetic in the last week but we have our targets outlined.”
Despite admitting to Chelsea’s obvious need for striker reinforcements, the Blues boss remains adamant there will not be wholesale changes made to the squad.
“You have to remember that this is the squad we set out to win four trophies with.
“We would have to call ourselves incompetent if we were to make radical changes, we are looking to add but not to the extent spoken about [in the media].”
Chelsea currently find themselves fourth in the Premier League, eleven points off pace-setters Manchester City and only in the Champions League places via goal difference.
While the club have experienced good results at home to Manchester City and away at Newcastle, Villas-Boas is aware of the need for consistency in the team.
He continued: “In the Premier League we are trying to shorten the distance to the leaders in order to make our title challenge more solid and more positive, these are the immediate concerns.
“Our only regret at the moment is not finding regularity; that is what we are still trying to get to grips with.
“We know we can show our philosophy and the way we play to a top level. We are having extremes from game to game; from Manchester City to Wigan, then from Tottenham to Fulham.
“It is stability we are trying to find.”