Chelsea failed to make much of a mark in the January transfer window, after flirting with a couple of big name signings.

The Blues eventually secured Alexandre Pato and Matt Miazga, but neither of these players are likely to be featuring in the first XI on a regular basis.

Guus Hiddink, as only an interim manager, may not have been allowed full freedom across the transfer market and it might have been difficult for Chelsea to convince players to join, or to make decisions on incoming transfers, without knowing who their manager will be for next season.

Chelsea fans have been treated to an upturn in form of late, but, with a bit more ambition in the transfer window, could have dreamt of achieving a top six finish once more.

Unfortunately for the Stamford Bridge faithful, they will have to make do with watching Branislav Ivanovic and Nemanja Matic for the rest of the season.

We have the XI that Chelsea could have ended the window with...

Thibaut Courtois

The sale of Petr Cech last summer was a momentous turning point for Chelsea Football Club and Thibaut Courtois saw the pressure rise on him even further.

The 'keeper hasn't quite reached the standards of last season, but he has done well to recover from his injury and is still one of the best in the league.

Cesar Azpilicueta

One of the most reliable players in the league, Azpilicueta is one of the very few who can't shoulder any of the blame for Chelsea's dramatic demise.

Some time into the future we will see a manager shift the Spaniard to his more natural right-back berth and it has taken some by surprise that Hiddink is yet to do this.

Kurt Zouma

Gary Cahill is struggling for minutes at the moment and its not a surprise with the way that Kurt Zouma has been performing.

Zouma's burst of pace complements John Terry's slower legs nicely and the Frenchman has matured greatly across the last 12 months.

John Terry

Controversy over Terry's contract could be a distraction for many players, but the former England captain has had more than his fair share of off-field distractions in his career and he's managed to make it through all of those pretty comfortably.

The real issue for Chelsea is how they will find a man to replace Mr Chelsea.

Ricardo Rodriguez

Signing a left-back when Ivanovic is the key issue seems a bit like a square peg in a round hole, but Rodriguez would allow Azpilicueta to move back across to the right hand side.

The Wolfsburg man would add extra attacking emphasis that having a right footer doesn't allow.

John Obi Mikel

Mikel has, rightfully, made the holding midfield his own over the last few weeks.

The Nigerian has matured greatly as a footballer over the recent seasons and Chelsea fans are all the more calm for his presence.

Cesc Fabregas

Whatever went on between Fabregas and Mourinho, the Spaniard is starting to show flashes of his best again under Guus Hiddink. Diego Costa's revival has been heavily linked with Cesc's return to form and his incisive passing from deep can catch any side off guard.

Willian

Without a doubt, Willian has been the Blues' player of this season.

Aside from his magical free-kicks, the Brazilian showed a desire to try when Chelsea were at their lowest ebb that so many players did not.

Oscar

Fresh off of a stunning hat-trick against MK Dons, Oscar might be about to find his first consistent run of form since about 2014.

The Brazilian is a hugely frustrating talent and needs to prove to any incoming Chelsea boss that he can carry them to the next level.

Alex Teixeira

The main transfer saga of this January window featured around this Shakhtar man and he could have joined a raft of Chelsea Brazilians.

Unfortunately, the Blues missed out on their man and look unlikely to ever sign this forward now. His goal record this season is quite astonishing and would have certainly assisted Costa's efforts to increase Chelsea's goal tally.

Diego Costa

The Premier League's biggest trouble maker has found his scoring boots once more and is beginning to show why Jose Mourinho kept faith in him ahead of Falcao or Remy earlier in the season.

Costa continues to be his own worst enemy and its inevitable another ban is just around the corner.