Chelsea have already signed Rosenior, their own Semenyo

To say the start of 2026 has been a roller coaster ride for Chelsea would be an understatement.

New Year’s Day brought the news of Enzo Maresca’s departure, and a few days later Liam Rosenior was announced as his permanent replacement.

There is understandable reservation from some fans over the appointment of the 41-year-old due to his relative lack of experience in the top flight, but he remains highly regarded and, by all accounts, appears to have done a good job with Strasbourg.

Additionally, with the transfer window now open, the club can ensure they have the best chance of success by bringing in more high-quality players.

Additionally, the fact that Antoine Semenyo now appears to be off the market shouldn’t be a problem, as Chelsea already have their own version of the dynamic winger in someone who could be an even bigger star.

Who Chelsea could sign in January

Despite the window only opening a week ago, Chelsea are already being linked with a host of exciting players.

Central defense is an area of ​​the team that most supporters agree on and the good news is that the club have been linked with one of the most exciting young defenders in European football, Jérémy Jacquet.

The 20-year-old gem, whom talent scout Jacek Kulig has dubbed a “mad CB in the making”, is currently plying his trade at Ligue 1 side Stade Rennais.

According to FBref, he ranks in the top 3% of central defenders in Europe’s top five leagues for tackles in the attacking third, top 4% for interceptions, top 6% and top 12% for key passes and more, all according to 90.

Combine that with the fact that he’s 6-foot-2 and, in the words of analyst Ben Mattinson, “dominant in aerial duels,” and it’s easy to see why so many teams are interested in signing him.

Moving back a little on the pitch, another player strongly linked to the Blues is Adam Wharton of Crystal Palace.

The England international is said to have a price tag of around £100 million, and while that is a huge sum, it’s easy to see why the Eagles value him so much.

Despite being just 21, the former Blackburn Rovers star has already racked up 121 senior club appearances and, as well as his three England caps, played a crucial role in the South Londoners’ FA Cup winning side last season.

Finally, while the west Londoners were linked with Semenyo for a brief moment before Christmas, they quickly backed down, and it now appears the Bournemouth star will head to the Etihad this month.

However, fans shouldn’t be too disappointed as Chelsea might already have their own answer to the dynamic striker that Rosenior will be able to get the most out of.

Chelsea’s response to Semenyo

Although this Chelsea team has some weaknesses, they also have many very talented and exciting players who could help Rosenior make a positive start to this season.

He may not be the most important player at the moment, but arguably the most exciting, and the one who could be the manager’s answer to Semenyo is Estevao.

The Blues finally got their hands on the teenage sensation this summer after signing him in 2024, and to say he has been seen as one of the next big players would be an understatement.

After all, Mattinson labeled him a “future Ballon d’Or winner” before he had even signed with the west Londoners, and while that might seem a bit of a stretch, he left Brazil with an incredible record of 27 goals and 15 assists in just 89 appearances for Palmeiras.

What’s more, he has already made a huge impact on these shores, scoring a last-minute winner against Liverpool and a sensational goal against Barcelona before the end of the year.

It’s this ability to drive with the ball at his feet and score a goal out of nothing that makes it easy to see him as the club’s answer to Semenyo.

Additionally, while he appears to be a little more effective on the right, he is someone who can and has played in other positions, from attacking midfield to the opposite flank.

Finally, like the Cherries star, the young Brazilian is also a hugely entertaining player to watch; he’s someone who can and will almost always bring fans to their feet at some point in the game.

Ultimately, while Rosenior would probably have loved to have Semenyo on the books, Chelsea have already signed him in response to Estevao.

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