Matic in, De Bruyne out (but don't shake it all about)

We're halfway into the January transfer window, and it would seem the majority of Chelsea's business has already been conducted.

Chelsea have had two main dealings in this window so far - Nemanja Matic returning from Benfica and Kevin De Bruyne leaving to join Wolfsburg. It would appear that these are the two main dealings of this transfer season, and it makes a nice change to have wrapped up our dealings nice and early.

As mentioned, incoming is Matic. "Matic? We had one of them before" I hear you say. That would be correct; Matic is returning for his second stint at the club, having left to join Benfica during Carlo Ancelotti's time in charge. His transfer has cost the club £21 million - significantly more than when he left as a makeweight in the deal that saw David Luiz move to the club -  Matic being previously valued at just £3 million. Cost aside, Matic could be a very important player for the Blues, perhaps even a piece of the 'jigsaw' that Mourinho is currently building.

On paper Matic is a 'Mourinho-style' player. Tall, strong, athletic with good technique. As a central midfielder, he shores up a position in which Chelsea look somewhat stretched for depth, with Marco Van Ginkel out for the season through injury, Essien looking a bit lost in the Premier League and Lampard not capable of 60 games a season.

But Matic is more than a simple squad player, and has a lot more to his game than steadfast defensive work. Primarily operating in the pivot, Matic not only break play up and protect his back four but also has the vision going forward to get attacks going - qualities of an 'enganche' player for the more traditional tacticians among us. More than this however, Matic has the physique to drive forward in a Yaya Toure-esque model, and while his goals-to-game ratio isn't something to rave about, he is capable of being a threat. At 25 years old, Matic is here to stay for the long haul, joining a host of Chelsea players all south of their 'peak' years. Having made a brief cameo in the win against Manchester United, we will see a lot more of the serbian in the next few weeks - not in the Champions League however, having already appeared in the competition this year.

Most fans have the same qualm with this transfer, and it is very valid: £21 million is a lot for a player who just 2 and a half years ago left for a seventh of that. The bottom line is simple however: ignoring that fact (and the assumption that had he stayed, he would not have developed to the same extent) it is a fair price for the 2013 portuguese league Player of the Season, particularly when considering that the man he essentially replaced - Axel Witsel - joined Zenit for £32 million.

It should also be considered that this cost is partially offset by the departure of Kevin De Bruyne for £17 million. It was expected; De Bruyne had a handful of appearances, the most impressive of which came in the first half of the first game of the season. It is a shame regardless, as De Bruyne is a very talented player with great potential, but £10 million profit for a player with so few appearances is testament to the newfound financial prudence that the hierarchy at Chelsea have been eager to achieve.

Other dealings this window have seen Ryan Bertrand move to Aston Villa on loan, which should see him gain regular minutes in preparation for next season. It's worth keeping an eye on Aitor Karanka's Middlesborough too, who have taken Nathaniel Chalobah and Kenneth Omerou on loan as they push for promotion in the Championship. Our FA Cup 3rd Round opponents Derby also signed Patrick Bamford, in a move which sees him tested at a higher level having left MK Dons with 17 goals.

The message for the moment is clear - one in, one out with no need for a major shake up as Chelsea find their consistency heading into the results-end of the season.

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