Ian McGarry from the Transfer Podcast suggested that Thomas Tuchel has asked the Chelsea board to sign a striker in the next window.
Tuchel has already got his wishes once when the Blues managed to entice Romelu Lukaku back to South West London over the summer.
The Champions League holders held all the cards, other than a definitive focal point to lead their attacks.
In Lukaku, they finally landed the final piece of the expensive puzzle.
Or so it initially seemed.
Following a blazing start for the Belgian international – four goals in his first four games – the trail has now gone cold.
Chelsea’s leading centre-forward is on a run of seven club matches without scoring, the longest barren spell since his miserable final days at Manchester United.
But Lukaku’s woes have not stopped there.
He suffered some ankle damage against Malmo in the Champions League last week, meaning the 28-year-old will be out for a period of time.
Much like London buses, the Blues sustained two casualties at once.
After Lukaku hobbled off the Stamford Bridge turf, Timo Werner quickly followed suit, ominously holding his hamstring.
Tuchel’s transfer orders
Tuchel is facing the prospect of being without his main front men for a crucial stage of the season when fixtures continue to come thick and fast.
Hence why the German coach apparently wants more attacking reinforcements recruited after the New Year.
“It is our information that he has requested from the club that they recruit a striker in the January window,” claimed McGarry.
“This has been significantly influenced now as well by the fact Romelu Lukaku will miss at least two games but maybe up to a month in the coming weeks, as well as Timo Werner being out as well.
“From what I’m told, there is no definite shortlist that’s been formulated as yet, but you can see the point that they’ve been heavily reliant on Lukaku in such a short space of time since he arrived back at the club for his second spell.”
Key calls by Chelsea
Alongside Tuchel’s latest wishes, Chelsea’s chain of command have some major decisions to make before the transfer market opens up for business again in a few months.
Do they splash the cash on another striker, even if Lukaku and Werner recover in good time?
Are they still going to chase after more centre-backs, notably Jules Kounde or Matthijs de Ligt?
Have they left themselves enough breathing space to sort out the contracts of their expiring defenders?
All issues that realistically need to be solved in the next four weeks or so to avoid a stress-free Christmas stretch.
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