With the monthlong transfer window opening at midnight on Sunday, the outcome of the English Premiership could turn on transfer activity. Or lack of it.
English champions Chelsea trail Manchester United by six points in the Premier League and has key players injured, but it isn't clear whether billionaire owner Roman Abramovich will be called upon to spend more money.
Goalkeeper Petr Cech could return from a fractured skull next month, while central defender and captain John Terry, who recently had back surgery, has targeted the Blues' League Cup semi-final against League Two side Wycombe on Jan. 10.
Abramovich has spent about ?276 million (US$540 million) on transfers since taking over at Stamford Bridge in 2003. Against that, Chelsea doesn't have much of a history of bringing in players in January -- one of the two periods a year that clubs are allowed to trade players. But then, it hasn't needed them.
A year ago, Chelsea was 11 points clear atop the table and went on to win a second straight title.
However, offseason acquisitions Michael Ballack and Andriy Shevchenko have not impressed and, this time, the Blues have been linked with Manchester City's England defender Micah Richards and Birmingham defender Matthew Upson, who turned down a five-year contract extension with the League Championship leaders.
Despite its place atop the Premier League, Manchester United is seen by many as the most likely club to go shopping.
Striker Henrik Larsson is already joining on loan from Swedish club Helsingborg until March, while England midfielder Owen Hargreaves has been linked since an offseason move was rebuffed by Bayern Munich.
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