Former Chelsea winger and pundit Pat Nevin has pinpointed the two England internationals he believes the club must pursue during the remainder of the January transfer window to aid new head coach Liam Rosenior.
New Era Under Rosenior
Chelsea confirmed the appointment of Liam Rosenior as their new manager earlier this week, following the sudden departure of Enzo Maresca. Rosenior inherits a squad still in contention for Champions League qualification and with a Carabao Cup semi-final against Arsenal looming.
The club's official statement, released on Tuesday January 7, 2026, expressed confidence in Rosenior's ability to implement a clear style and extract the best from the playing group quickly, while reiterating the club's high ambitions for this season and beyond.
Nevin's Transfer Recommendations
While Chelsea's exact budget for the window is unclear, Nevin is adamant that the squad requires strengthening at centre-back and striker. He has identified two specific Premier League talents as ideal solutions.
Speaking to 'BetWright UK', Nevin stated: 'Signing Ollie Watkins could be Chelsea’s top priority in this January transfer window.' He highlighted the Aston Villa forward's stunning form of seven goals in his last seven Premier League games, suggesting Watkins is now a certainty for Thomas Tuchel's England World Cup squad.
Nevin compared him to current Chelsea striker Liam Delap, saying: 'I admire Liam Delap and his work rate, but when it comes to pure quality, Watkins is the more favourable option.'
Defensive Reinforcement Needed
Turning to the defensive issues, Nevin advocated for a move for Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite. 'Jarrad Branthwaite is another player Chelsea could be looking at,' he said. 'They desperately need a centre-back.'
Despite the defender suffering an injury-hit campaign, Nevin believes his potential makes him a perfect fit for Chelsea's policy. 'Given Chelsea’s methodology and youthful transfer policy, I don’t know of any better young centre-backs than Branthwaite.' He warned that once fully fit, every major club would be competing for his signature.
The Stakes for Chelsea's Season
Nevin's recommendations come at a critical juncture for Chelsea. The club's statement made clear that expectations remain high despite the managerial change. Securing proven Premier League quality in the form of Watkins and a top young defender like Branthwaite could be pivotal in achieving a top-four finish and cup success under Rosenior's new leadership.
Whether the Chelsea hierarchy will act on Nevin's advice in the coming weeks remains to be seen, but the former Blues star has clearly outlined the targets he believes can make an immediate impact.
