John Terry expects Roman Abramovich to take advantage of the January transfer market and reinforce Chelsea’s squad before the club is banned from trading. Terry believes owner Abramovich will fund new signings for manager Carlo Ancelotti to keep the Premier League leaders on course for their first title since 2006 as injuries and international call-ups take their toll.
Ancelotti insists he does not need new recruits but captain Terry said: ‘We’re going well at the minute and we’re lucky enough to have a big squad with good players who can come in if we get a couple of injuries.
‘But, looking at it realistically, we’re maybe going to be suspended in the summer window and maybe another one after that.
‘I wouldn’t be surprised if we do go out and buy because we don’t know what’s going to happen.’
FIFA banned Chelsea from trading in two transfer windows for inducing French teenager Gael Kakuta to break his contract with Lens but the club have appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which agreed to suspend the punishment until the case is heard.
This means the Blues are clear to sign players in January, a month when Didier Drogba, Michael Essien, Salomon Kalou and John Obi Mikel leave Stamford Bridge to play in the Africa Cup of Nations.
‘We lose four good players in January,’ said Terry. ‘I’m sure the club and the manager are looking into that and having good talks with Roman. The manager has great experience and he knows what we need.’
There was more worrying injury news for Chelsea boss Ancelotti from his troops on international duty. Michael Ballack will not play for Germany in a friendly against Ivory Coast because he has an infection in his knee. Ballack has not trained since last week, although he will stay with the German squad.
Terry and Frank Lampard both returned from England’s trip to play Brazil in Qatar with injuries. Lampard faces weeks out after tearing a thigh muscle, although Terry hopes to recover from a sore Achilles tendon to play against Wolves on Saturday.
