Chelsea manager Graham Potter is eyeing the winter market as he looks to renovate the ranks following his appointment in the early stages of the season.

What’s the word?

Former Blues manager Thomas Tuchel was sacked shortly after the conclusion of the summer transfer window, with the club plummeting from form, and since Potter’s arrival, fortunes have not yet seen drastic improvement.

And with the January transfer window looming, Calciomercato are reporting that Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie has been touted by the west London outfit with the club set to seriously target him.

The centre of the park is indeed an area Potter wishes to improve, and the €30m-valued (£26m) McKennie could provide an offensive spark from behind the forward line to ignite the fire that is currently evading the Chelsea ranks.

Sign the “monster”

With Stamford Bridge indeed in the shoddy position of eighth place in the Premier League, eight points off fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur, and also knocked out of the Carabao Cup in the third round at the hands of Manchester City, drastic improvement is swiftly needed.

And having scored just 17 goals from 14 league fixtures - the lowest tally of any side in the top half - it is vital that shrewd moves are made.

The 24-year-old McKennie could provide some welcome respite, with his blend of physicality, passing skills and forward drives all factors that could play into Potter’s hands. 

Despite concerns from some over the player’s recent performances, FBref certainly bolster the argument that he could make a resounding impact at a club like Chelsea.

Indeed, the American is ranked within the top 10% of midfielders for rate of non-penalty goals, the top 6% for touches in the attacking penalty area and the top 4% for progressive passes received - effectively illuminating a forward-thinking approach that could provide the Blues that added dimension in midfield that they have been sorely lacking. 

This season, Mason Mount and Jorginho are the only midfielders to have scored more than one goal, with the latter netting all three of his strikes from the penalty spot.

The "outstanding" McKennie, as lauded by Kyle Bonn for his exploits at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, is not in the best vein of form with the Old Lady, but has snatched three goals and an assist from 16 appearances, including two strikes in the Champions League.

And having scored nine goals from 41 appearances for the USMNT, the maestro certainly has a knack for finding the net, and could fortify Chelsea’s offensive ranks.

The industrious ace brings a host of skills to the table, the whole gamut of attributes required to flourish as a central force, and the  “monster in the air” - as dubbed by Wes Rucker - could yet shine some light on Chelsea's season.

Valued at £26m by Juve, who are trying to raise finds to combat their precarious financial situation, Potter must grasp the arresting opportunity and sign a robust new figure as he tinkers away at his team.