Terry urges Ancelotti to buy in the transfer window

While the official line at Chelsea is that Carlo Ancelotti is happy with his squad as it currently stands, despite the expected rigours of January when four players - Didier Drogba, Michael Essien, Mikel John Obi and Salomon Kalou - will be taking part in the African Cup of Nations, captain John Terry gave a revealing glimpse into the dressing room at Stamford Bridge when he said that the players were hoping for some signings over the January transfer window.

With Fifa's transfer ban imposed over the Gael Kakuta signing - which was to be in place for two transfer windows - currently in abeyance as the club go to the Court of Arbitration in Sport probably in February next year, Terry sees an opportunity for Chelsea to 'stock up' in case the verdict goes against them.

"It's good news that the transfer ban has been frozen," said Terry. "We lose four good players in January anyway. I'm sure the club and the manager are looking into that and having good talks with Roman. I wouldn't be surprised if we do go out and buy because we don't know what's going to happen in the summer."

Terry continued: "We're going well at the minute" - five points clear of second-placed Arsenal - "and we're lucky enough to have a big squad with good players who can come in if we get a couple of injuries. Looking at it realistically, we're maybe going to be suspended in the summer window and, maybe, another one after that. But the manager has great experience and he knows what we need."

The conundrum for Ancelotti is about whether to take the plunge in the transfer market in January, knowing that clubs across Europe will be adding millions to the value of their players, mindful of Chelsea's potential forthcoming ban. Having seen targets such as David Villa and Sergio Aguero become priced out of the market by their clubs over summer, the Italian could instead put his faith with the big guns already in his squad while bringing in more up and coming players, such as Adam Johnson from Middlesbrough, and Jack Rodwell fromk Everton.

Another headache for Ancelotti is that many of the biggest European stars are cup-tied in Europe, so that anyone bought in January would just be of use on the domestic front for the current season. Aguero lined up against the Blues in the Champions League (and indeed scored a brace), while Franck Ribery, another target, has played for Bayern Munich in European games.

The club's billionaire owner Roman Abramovich has indicated that money is available to Ancelotti, but the wily Italian may feel he has the resources at his disposal already to win the Premier League and progress further in Europe. If he pulls it off he will be feted; if not, Nemesis awaits. ·