Frustrated Benitez Doesn’t Expect Further Signings This Month

With the January transfer window now open for business we’ll be keeping you up-to-date with all the latest transfer gossip. Today, Rafa Benitez rules out further signings.

Perhaps some disappointing news for Chelsea fans today as interim boss Rafa Benitez has revealed he doesn’t expect any new signings to arrive before the end of the month, according to Sky Sports News.

The report claims Benitez has told owner Roman Abramovich that his squad is not strong enough to compete on all fronts this season, with Chelsea having to contend with playing games in the Premier League, League Cup, FA Cup, World Club Cup, Champions League group stages and now the Europa League over the course of the season.

However, it seems Abramovich has told Benitez he must get the best out of the players he’s got with the former Liverpool man confirming he doesn’t expect any new faces to arrive before the window slams shut on Thursday night.

When asked if he’s likely to make any late moves in the market, a frustrated Benitez said:

“I don’t think so but my job is to improve my squad and manage the situation we have.

“We are playing more games than anyone. In some positions we have only two or three players, that’s the reality.

“After the Africa Cup of Nations, and when we get Eden Hazard back, we’ll be able to manager a bit better.

“I’m really focused on my job. We know we are training well and preparing properly, and that’s my job.

“The players are happy in terms of what we are doing. Against Arsenal we were fantastic. We have to win together.

“My focus is to improve the team and keep the players believing that we can win. I like managing top sides and this is one.

“The positive is that we are still scoring goals and conceding less than in the past, but we still need to improve.”

“My position is exactly the same,” Benitez said, confirming he had held talks with club technical director Michael Emenalo after Sunday’s FA Cup tie at Brentford.

“I was speaking about football with Michael, as normal. I will try to do my job as well as I can, and try to do my best every game.” Benitez is quoted as saying by Sky Sports

The European champions made an early signing in the window by bringing in striker Demba Ba from Newcastle but it doesn’t sound like Blues fans will be seeing any more new faces arrive in west London this month.

Read more Chelsea transfer news

From the outside, the Chelsea squad looks very strong and the only position I would say they may need to strengthen is in central midfield due to the injury to Oriol Romeu, but once John Obi Mikel returns they should cope fine, so I don’t see it as a big deal if they don’t add to the squad.

Are Chelsea fans happy with the current squad? Get involved in the comments section below.