Rafael Benitez yesterday confirmed Chelsea were looking to bring in reinforcements in January, saying cryptically: “We’ll see if there are any surprises.”

Oriol Romeu’s season-ending injury has left the European champions short of holding midfielders, with their only other recognised player in that position, John Obi Mikel, on African Nations Cup duty next month.

Chelsea have been linked with the likes of Corinthians’ Paulinho, Newcastle’s Cheick Tiote and Everton’s Marouane Fellaini and also Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao.

Speaking ahead ahead of today’s Club World Cup semi-final against Monterrey, interim manager Benitez said: “The club is working and always looking for good players, so we’ll see if there are any surprises.”