Holland not expecting Chelsea signings

Assistant first-team coach Steve Holland says Chelsea will only make signings in the January transfer window if their hand is forced.

Holland, deputising for Jose Mourinho in the pre-match Newcastle news conference following the Blues manager’s FA misconduct charge, said they did not want to sell anybody but cited last season’s January sale of Juan Mata as an example of what can happen.

“Jose has made it quite clear that in this window nobody comes in and nobody goes out,” Holland said.

“But no club can say for sure that nothing will happen. Last season a couple of things happened that meant we had to be reactive.

“The hope and expectation is that nobody leaves and nobody comes.”

Holland also dismissed rumours of a move for Barcelona forward Lionel Messi, saying the Argentine was too expensive.

“I would think it is an almost an impossible ideal for any club to work within Financial Fair Play.”

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