Enzo Maresca believes January transfer speculation around his Chelsea players has “100 per cent” played a part in midseason slump. The Blues have slipped from the brink of title contention into a scrap for the European places across the course of a dismal run of form since the middle of last month.

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca said goalkeeper Robert Sanchez cannot “make a mistake every game” and expect to keep his place as he hinted he could turn to understudy Filip Jorgensen for Monday’s game against West Ham.

Enzo Maresca has said that Chelsea's form has "100%" been affected by transfer speculation, claiming some of his players may not have been fully focussed.

In November, he suggested that Jamie Vardy was the best English striker of his generation, better even than Wayne Rooney or Harry Kane. He also claimed that League One side Barrow and then a doomed Southampton were the “worst” possible opponents for his Chelsea side, who went on to score five in both games.

Several Chelsea players have been the subject of speculation in the January transfer window, which is impacting the club's form, manager Enzo Maresca said on Friday ahead of a Premier League meeting with West Ham United.

Chelsea are keen on signing another goalkeeper amid Robert Sanchez's struggles between the posts, although Manchester United are targeting the same man: Gregor Kobel

Enzo Maresca’s Bold Move for Elite StrikerIn a season where consistency defines the title chasers, Chelsea’s head coach Enzo Maresca has made a decisive move to

Chelsea are interested in signing Mathys Tel from Bayern Munich before next week's transfer deadline but are not alone, with several clubs chasing the winger's signature

The most prominent rumours have come in the attacking third, with boss Enzo Maresca evidently targeting reinforcements to his frontline to improve on their current Premier League