The Blues could land a stunning coup in the January window by signing Karim Benzema on loan from Saudi Arabia.
Chelsea have not had much luck with mid-season transfers in recent years. Last January, they splashed out on eight players, but none of them have lived up to expectations – except maybe Malo Gusto, Benoit Badiashile, and Enzo Fernandez.
But things are different now. The Todd Boehly-Clearlake Capital regime have to be more cautious with their spending, as the league faces another round of PSR sanctions. The market is dry, with few buyers and sellers.
That’s why the loan market is more crucial than ever. And that’s why Chelsea could pull off a sensational deal for one of the biggest names in the game: Karim Benzema.
The Frenchman left Real Madrid last summer, joining the Saudi Arabian project to make them a footballing powerhouse overnight. But after just six months and two managers, he could be on his way out.
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Reports say Benzema has skipped training lately, leaving Marcelo Gallardo without his star striker for the winter break camp. This has sparked rumours that Benzema could follow Jordan Henderson’s footsteps and leave the Middle East.
Chelsea are among the few clubs that could realistically afford Benzema, or at least his wages for a short-term deal. They are keen to sign a striker, as they struggle to score goals and consider selling Armando Broja.
They have a long-term plan to sign a young and prolific forward in the summer, with Ivan Toney, Evan Ferguson, Jhon Duran, and Victor Osimhen on their radar. But for now, those deals are out of reach. Benzema could be the perfect stopgap.
Mauricio Pochettino, the Chelsea boss, has been a huge fan of the 2022 Ballon d’Or winner for a long time. “He’s a great player who is showing his talent at Real Madrid year after year,” he said of Benzema before his PSG side faced Real Madrid in the Champions League last-16 two years ago.
“He’s a great player. If he’s not there, it’s a major loss for Madrid. I wouldn’t say it benefits Paris, but it’s clear he’s a top striker. In the analysis of the team, a lot is taken into account if Benzema plays or not.”
Benzema proved his point by scoring a hat-trick in the second leg, turning a 2-0 aggregate deficit into a 3-2 lead with two goals in two minutes in the second half. He went on a scoring spree, netting 15 goals in 12 games to win his fifth European cup.
He also scored a hat-trick against Chelsea in the next round, scoring all the goals at Stamford Bridge and then the extra-time winner in the second leg. He added three more goals against Manchester City in the semi-finals, leading Real Madrid to the final.
Pochettino would love to have Benzema on his side now rather than against him. The Chelsea manager has been inconsistent in his comments on transfers – sometimes saying a better forward would make a difference, sometimes being more diplomatic – but the need is obvious.
Could Benzema be the answer to Chelsea’s blues? Pochettino has already given his verdict on the Frenchman. Now, he could get the chance to work with him.
