In August, 32 out of 40 BBC Sport pundits predicted Chelsea would become the Premier League's first title retainers since 2009 this season, whilst all but one predicted they'd finish in the top two.

But football is a strange old business, as my father would say, and just eight games into the new season it appears the Blues' title defence is already over, laying in 16th place with just eight points on the board.

Jose Mourinho has already admitted the season aim is now to ensure Champions League qualification but even that is arguably in doubt after such a horrendous start.

Chelsea need a catalyst to swing momentum back in their favour and there is usually no better than a new signing.

With that in mind and the west Londoners certainly well endowed in the financial department, here's FIVE huge, incredibly expensive signings Chelsea could make in January to turn their torrid season around.

JOHN STONES

The motivation behind Jose Mourinho's determination to sign John Stones during the summer, seeing three bids rejected for the Everton defender, has only become more evident with every passing game this season.



The England international has enjoyed a particularly strong start to the campaign, averaging 2.2 tackles, 2.3 interceptions, 4.2 clearances and one block per-match whilst continuing to demonstrate the unique agility and classiness on the ball that has made him one of the most exciting young centre-backs in world football.



The Blues, meanwhile, are the current owners of the second-worst defensive record in the Premier League, conceding 17 times in just eight games.



Right-back and the heart of defence have both emerged as real problem areas, with Branislav Ivanovic and John Terry respectively seriously struggling for form, and the 21 year-old has the versatility to address both.



Of course, the Toffees made it incredibly clear during the summer that they aren't interested in selling, so Chelsea would have to come up with an incredible offer to convince them otherwise mid-season.

MARQUINHOS

Another prodigious defender reportedly on Chelsea's transfer radar is PSG prodigy Marquinhos.



He's widely regarded as one of the most exciting prospects in world football, having initially convinced the Ligue 1 champions to pay Roma €31.2million for his services in 2013 - back then a world-record fee for a teenager.



Marquinhos' Parc de Princes tenure has by no means gone badly, registering 70 appearances across all competitions since his arrival, but he's struggled to claim a recurring role in the starting Xi over Brazil team-mates Thiago Silva and David Luis and seems unlikely to for at least another few years.



Like Stones, the 6 foot defender can operate at centre-half or right-back and is particularly famed for the elegance and style he brings to the defence - whilst speedy athleticism is another one of his defining traits.



Like many on this list, Chelsea are believed to have seen a bid rejected for the nine-cap international during the summer. But Marquinhos could push for a January move if he's still struggling for game time.

KOKE

Jose Mourinho's apparent disillusionment with the efforts of his attacking midfielders this season has seen Chelsea linked to a Premier League transfer gossip favourite over the last few days in Atletico Madrid star Koke.



He's the dash of creativity in an otherwise hardworking Mattress Makers outfit that's claimed a Europa League title, a UEFA Super Cup, a Copa del Rey and a La Liga title since Diego Simeone took the helm, claiming 16 goals and 22 assists in his last 101 league appearances.



That ingrained industrious will be of particular interest to Mourinho alongside the Spain international's immense versatility, having featured in literally every midfield capacity for Atletico since his debut back in 2009.



Koke has often expressed his desire to become a one-club man at Vincente Calderon, however, and seems unlikely to jump ship with Simeone still around - even if Atletico enter the January window in the current league standing of fifth place.



Then again, activating the midfielder's release clause, believed to be around the £50million mark, could make him think twice.

MARCO REUS

Another attacking option for Jose Mourinho to consider and a player seemingly destined to answer a higher calling at some point over the next few years.



Marco Reus is unquestionably one of the most productive attacking threats in world football, claiming 39 goals and 38 assists in 86 Bundesliga appearances since signing for Borussia Dortmund in summer 2012.



The German international is equally adept in the roles of scorer or provider and can operate anywhere across the attacking midfield berth or even as a centre-forward - so Jose Mourinho should be able to find room for him in Chelsea's starting Xi.



He shocked the world when penning extended terms with Dortmund last February, but may now be more partial to leaving Westfalen following Jurgen Klopp's summer resignation and the eradication of his previously ridiculous £25million release clause.



Even so, the 26 year-old is likely to set Chelsea back somewhere in the region of £50million.

PAUL POGBA

The pièce de résistance that would really get Chelsea's season back on track and show they mean business for the second half of the campaign. Paul Pogba is one of the most in-demand players in world football and has the potential to dominate Premier League midfields for the best part of the next decade.



Chelsea's midfield lacks a dynamic box-to-box presence but arguably needs one now more than ever, with the Fabregas-Matic partnership failing to provide both defensive protection and quality going forward this season.



They need a combining glue and the France international could well be the perfect candidate. At 6 foot 2 he's an absolute monster but blends that physicality with attacking prowess, netting 21 goals in 96 Serie A appearances since joining Juventus from Manchester United in 2012.



Chelsea tried to sign the 22 year-old during the summer and reportedly saw a £62million bid accepted by the Old Lady, only for Pogba to turn them down.



They may find better luck in January if Juve's horrendous form continues - they're currently 12th with eight points from seven games. But Barcelona will have emerged from their transfer embargo by then and the Catalans have made no secret of their interest in the 25-cap international.