Chelsea boss Antonio Conte is pushing his board to release more funds for the January market.
The Mirror says Conte has made clear he needs reinforcements in the New Year to come to the rescue of a threadbare squad he suggests has just 17-18 senior pros.
In particular, Conte is desperate for a striker, with Chelsea's lack of options painfully exposed at Everton, where his side dominated the game, but without suspended Alvaro Morata, embarrassingly failed to find the net.
Conte has explained he will spend the next fortnight urging his paymasters to deliver the signings he needs to give them silverware back in return.
“It is not the right time now to talk about who we will sign and I don't want to have this conversation in public.
“I am very happy to work with my players, and then if the squad is big enough to play all these games in all competitions, only time will tell.
“I think this consideration must be done with the club. I must say it to them in the right moment, in the right place.
“I will give my opinion when I speak with the club, I will tell them. But in the end the club has always the last word – like in the summer, like last season, and it will be the same in January.
“Then we will divide the responsibility with me and with the club…we will do it together. We are fighting for the best position in the league, for the Champions' League and the Carabao Cup. We will see."
Source: tribalfootball.com