If reports in the tabloids are anything to go by then Chelsea could be lining up a £4m bid for Aston Villa striker Emile Heskey.   It is quite possibly the most baffling speculation in this transfer window to date and for the sake of both parties hopefully that’s all it is – a rumour.   With Chelsea’s transfer ban lifted and talisman Didier Drogba on African Nations Cup duty then it’s inevitable numerous names will be linked to the club.   Heskey might get a look in during Drogba’s absence but as soon as the Ivorian arrives back from Angola then the England international will be reduced to keeping the bench warm.

Being a stop-gap is not a wise choice at this stage of the season and the truth is that he is not good enough to represent the Stamford Bridge outfit, whether their options are limited or not.

When Heskey was struggling to break into the Villa first-team earlier in the season he expressed concerns over his World Cup place, but a move to the Blues could end hopes of making it to South Africa rather than bolster them.

And considering how well Chelsea are coping without their African contingent - a crushing 7-2 win over Sunderland was followed by an assured display at Preston in the FA Cup – boss Carlo Ancelotti may refrain from adding to his frontline anyway.

This month has also seen Daniel Sturridge given his chance and a goal in the 2-0 victory at Deepdale will do his confidence the world of good – but it remains to be seen if he can emerge through the ranks and hold down a regular place.

Ancelotti’s biggest concern at the moment is that stalwart midfielder Michael Essien picked up a knee injury while on international duty and will miss several weeks -including February’s crunch clash against Arsenal that will go along way in deciding the destiny of the Premier League title and the reunion with old boss Jose Mourinho in the Champions League.