Xabi Alonso and Chelsea need to finalise their January transfer plans after next month’s international break, according to Gus Poyet.

The Blues bought 10 new first-team players in the summer and will continue to evolve their squad over future transfer windows.

One position where Chelsea look light and may seek to add depth is in midfield. They sold Enzo Fernandez to Manchester City and missed out on sealing the signing of Lamine Camara from Monaco at the 11th hour on Deadline Day, before captain Reece James suffered a knee injury that required surgery and is expected to keep him out of action until mid-January.

And Chelsea great Poyet, who played for the club between 1997 and 2001, believes they should soon be putting the finishing touches on their plans for how to approach the winter transfer window.

Momentum: Chelsea have risen to fourth in the Premier League table under Xabi Alonso

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“I think Chelsea and Alonso will make a good analysis of that,” Poyet said of what Chelsea must still add to their squad.

“It will depend on the recovery of Reece James, without any doubt, and on any kind of issue you have between now and December. Also on the confirmation that the system is going to be three at the back or four, depending on how you are going to play.”

Speaking to Standard Sport in association with Gambling.com, Poyet continued: “I think it is a little bit early [right now]. Probably next month, after the international break, we will know a little more.

“Xabi Alonso, as the one who is responsible, will know which position he would like to cover or where to bring something different, because sometimes it is about the characteristics of the players and not the position.”

Chelsea’s 2-0 win over Everton last weekend moved them up to fourth place in the Premier League and Poyet is adamant over which part of the table they must occupy, come the end of the season.

“A hundred per cent, top four,” he said. “They need to finish in the top four.”