Chelsea’s late equaliser against Manchester City at the Etihad felt like more than just a rescued point. It was another reminder that the club, despite recent turbulence, still carries belief and ambition.
After falling behind to a first-half strike from Tijjani Reijnders, the visitors refused to fold and were rewarded deep into stoppage time when Enzo Fernandez produced a dramatic finish to level the score. That moment kept Chelsea firmly in the hunt for the top four and added further momentum to what is shaping up to be a fascinating January transfer window.
Chelsea currently sit fifth in the Premier League after twenty matches, just three points behind Liverpool in fourth. With a trip to Craven Cottage coming up, the season is delicately balanced. Off the pitch, changes are also taking shape.
The club recently moved on from Enzo Maresca, and Liam Rosenior is widely expected to take charge after impressing within the wider ownership structure at Strasbourg. Amid all this, recruitment planning has not slowed, and attention has turned toward Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali.
Reports suggest Chelsea are exploring the possibility of signing Tonali this month. It would be a bold move. The Italian is under contract at Newcastle until the summer of 2028, meaning there is no pressure on the Magpies to sell unless the offer is truly compelling. Since arriving in England in 2023, Tonali has established himself as a key figure under Eddie Howe.
He has brought control, bite, and intelligence to Newcastle’s midfield, drawing on his experience at Brescia and AC Milan. At 25, with 30 international caps already to his name, he is entering what should be the prime years of his career.
From Chelsea’s point of view, the interest makes sense. Fernandez and Moises Caicedo form a strong base in midfield, but depth remains an issue. Romeo Lavia’s injury problems have limited his impact, while younger options such as Andrey Santos and Dario Essugo are not yet ready to shoulder responsibility at the highest level. Tonali would instantly raise the standard, offering reliability, leadership, and top-level experience in both domestic and European football.
The challenge, of course, is convincing Newcastle to engage. This is where a creative solution could come into play. A straight cash deal would require a huge outlay, but a swap arrangement could shift the balance.
One name that stands out is Raheem Sterling. The winger has fallen out of favour at Stamford Bridge and has seen his minutes reduced to almost nothing. At 31, he is no longer central to Chelsea’s plans, and his wages are a clear concern for the club moving forward.
Sterling has already been linked with Newcastle, which gives the idea extra weight. A change of environment could suit him perfectly. He remains an experienced Premier League performer with a proven track record at the highest level, having won major honours with both Liverpool and Manchester City. While his time at Chelsea has not gone as planned, his pace, movement, and finishing ability could still offer value in the right system.
For Newcastle, Sterling would provide depth and flexibility in attack. Eddie Howe is managing a squad competing on multiple fronts, and having another experienced option in wide areas would ease the burden.
The Magpies have dealt with injuries and heavy schedules before, and adding a player who understands the demands of elite football could be a smart short-term solution.
From Chelsea’s perspective, using Sterling as part of a deal would serve multiple purposes. It would help reduce their wage bill, free up squad space, and potentially lower the cash required to secure Tonali. Newcastle would still demand a significant fee, but the inclusion of Sterling could make negotiations more realistic and appealing.
There is also a human angle to consider. Sterling needs regular football to revive his career, while Tonali may be open to a new challenge if the project feels right. Chelsea can offer Champions League ambition, a central role, and a chance to become the heartbeat of a rebuilding side. Newcastle, meanwhile, would gain an established attacker and financial flexibility to reinvest elsewhere.
Swap deals of this scale are rare and complex, but when the needs of both clubs align, they can happen quickly. With January often producing surprises, a Tonali-Sterling agreement would certainly shake up the window.
It would address Chelsea’s midfield needs, help Newcastle reshape their attacking options, and give both players a fresh narrative. If any deal has the potential to define the month, this could be the one that truly ignites January.
