With the January transfer window fast approaching Chelsea will be searching the market for players who can add a little something extra to their team for the second half of the campaign.

The season has started magnificently for Antonio Conte’s side, they find themselves top of the Premier League, which is some turnaround from this time last year.

New singings Marcos Alonso and N’Golo Kante have added to the team, and the emergence of Victor Moses as a relentless up-and-down wing-back has made for great viewing. However, the key to Chelsea’s upswing in fortunes has been the fact that Conte has found a system that is getting the absolute best out of Costa and Hazard, Chelsea’s two best players.

The Blues will be desperate to push on and reclaim the Premier League title, which they defended so poorly last term. Not only this, they will want to secure Champions League qualification as quickly as possible and will no doubt be looking to identify players who can help drive the team toward this during the second half of the campaign.

It’s always worth keeping an eye out for bargain buys during the window, as the money saved in these deals can be spent on other targets. With that said here’s 3 bargain buys Chelsea should be looking to snap up this January.

Thiago Silva

When a world-class option such as Thiago Silva becomes available, as a top club, you just have to show an interest. The 32-year-old is out of contract this summer and can likely be purchased for a cut-price fee this coming January.

With Terry seemingly on the brink of an exit from Stamford Bridge, Thiago Silva would be an ideal addition. The Brazilian matches world-class ability with exceptional experience and leadership qualities. He still also possesses good physical attributes and looks to have plenty more years left in him at the top.

He would ensure that Chelsea continue to be difficult to score against, and that the chances taken by the likes of Costa and Hazard are likely to mean 3 points for the men in blue.

Arjen Robben

Chelsea will be on the lookout for players that can produce moments of magic, world-class talent that can win a match in the blink of an eye. There is no doubt that Arjen Robben falls into this category.

The mercurial Dutchman has been one of the best players in world football for a number of years now. Robben is like a fine wine in that for most of his career he has seemingly gotten better with age. The 32-year-old is still starting regularly for German giants Bayern Munich, helping himself to an impressive haul of 5 goals and 5 assists in his 12 appearances so far this campaign.

The Dutchman’s contract is up this summer and as a result he is likely to be available for much less than his market value in January. This is certainly an option Chelsea should be looking at as they aim to secure the tittle during the second half of the campaign.

Morgan Schneiderlin

Morgan Schneiderlin is very much out of favour at United, having only made 3 appearances in the league so far this season. As a result he could be looking to force his way out of United and may be available for a snip this January.

Chelsea’s new gaffer Antonio Conte seems to have settled on a 3-4-3 formation, with N’Golo Kante and Nemanja Matic his preferred two to start in the centre of midfield. The formation means that the midfield pair are required to get about the pitch a lot and cover some serious ground. Both Kante and Matic do this to great effect; Schneiderlin has shown he can play this role too; it was a series of dynamic displays that earned him his move to United in the first place.

Chelsea’s only other alternative to protect the back line is John Obi Mikel, a player who is not known for energetic displays, and one who could struggle in this new system. Schneiderlin appears to be a better option for Chelsea, one that could make a big difference come the end of the campaign.