John Terry urges Chelsea to spend big in transfer window

John Terry last night urged Chelsea to spend, spend, spend in the January transfer market to blow their rivals away in the Premier League title race.

The Chelsea captain says big-spending Roman Abramovich should take advantage of the club’s transfer ban reprieve and buy big to strengthen their squad.

Terry warns the Blues may have to do all of their spending in one go in January. The club’s lengthy transfer ban could still be upheld if they fail to win their appeal in the Gael Kakuta case.

England star Terry also believes the club need new players as they will lose Didier Drogba, Michael Essien, Jon Obi Mikel and Salomon Kalou to the African Nations Cup in the New Year.

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti has got big names on his list including Atletico Madrid striker Sergio Aguero, Benfica winger Angel Di Maria, Bayern Munich superstar Franck Ribery, Everton’s versatile midfielder Jack Rodwell and Napoli’s Mareck Hamsik.

Mirror Sport also revealed yesterday that Chelsea are interested in Sao Paolo’s wonderkid Lucas Piazon, captain of Brazil’s under-15s.

Terry is urging the Premier League leaders to splash the cash to ensure Chelsea avert any future crisis in the transfer market – even though the club’s situation is certain to send prices sky-high.

Terry said: “It’s good news. 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 or the following summer.

“We’re going well at the minute 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. The manager has great experience and he knows what we need.”

Chelsea’s legal team had the two-window ban suspended after taking their appeal against the Kakuta case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

But unless Chelsea overturn the verdict, they will be banned from signing players next summer and the following January.

It puts great pressure on Abramovich and Ancelotti to buy now - or risk not being able to strengthen their ageing squad until the summer of 2011.

That would be a potential disaster for Chelsea in the battle to stay in the hunt for the Premier League and Champions League trophies.

Terry has already admitted he often has meetings with Abramovich and has the ear of the club’s billionaire owner - so it seems likely the club captain will be pushing hard for major signings in January.

Chelsea’s squad is also being pushed to the limit by an injury crisis which will further strengthen Terry’s request for new players.

Michael Ballack is set to miss Saturday’s game against Wolves after spraining his knee while with the Germany squad while Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard are also out.

But Drogba is available after declaring himself fit for Ivory Coast’s friendly with Germany this week.

Drogba went for X-rays last week - as revealed in Mirror Sport - after Manchester United defender Jonny Evans kicked him in the chest. But they only showed heavy bruising.