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Football agents have been put on alert that Chelsea expect to be in the market to sign players again in January.
The West London side are currently subject to a two-window transfer ban for breaking international football regulations regarding the signing of overseas players under the age of 18.
They have already served the first of their bans, but hope that their appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) is successful, and they will not be made to undergo the second.
Chelsea will point out to the tribunal the example of Manchester City who were accused of similar breaches but escaped a ban by admitting their guilt and paying a heavy fine. They will also refer to the previous examples of La Liga sides Barcelona, and Real Madrid, both of whom were found guilty of similar offences, handed a transfer ban, only for them to be suspended or subsequently reduced.
New manager Frank Lampard has so far placed a heavy emphasis on youth in the absence of being able to sign new players, but bringing in quality reinforcements for the second half of the season , might be the difference between finishing in the top four, or outside it.
Andy is an exiled English football fan living in Cyprus. He loves all sports but football is his abiding passion, and he still has dreams every now and then about scoring the winning goal in a Wembley Cup Final, even though his playing days are long gone. He follows most major leagues, across Europe at least, and has a favoured team in each. When he’s not watching, listening, reading or downloading podcasts about football, he spend his time worrying about his beloved Arsenal.