The gales that blow through the streets have yet to whoosh through the transfer window, which means that Gary Cahill’s on-off Chelsea move is still the big news swirling around the window’s ledge. The Life’s A Pitch team wonders whether the Bolton defender will be lining up in blue after all, with Tottenham and Manchester United possibly in the market for a new central defender.

“I get this feeling with Cahill that he might be thinking Man Utd are monitoring the situation,” says Ian Ridley of The Daily Express. “They might come in with a late bid, given that [Rio] Ferdinand looks like he might be going, and given the various injury problems in the squad.”

Man Utd have been known to do shrewd business in January – particularly in defence, where both Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra were January signings – but Duncan White of The Sunday Telegraph and Martin Lipton of The Daily Mirror still see Cahill’s future lying in London, at either Chelsea or Spurs.

“I think a deal with Chelsea will be done fairly soon,” insists Duncan. “Cahill was in a strong position – Arsenal had wanted him, Spurs had wanted him. The move will be good for Chelsea and England as he’ll resume his partnership with John Terry, which was looking good.”

Another school of thought suggests that talk of Cahill’s mistrust of Chelsea has echoed through London, directly into Tottenham’s parking lot. Could Harry Redknapp be tempted to unroll a few notes for a Gary Cahill thumb print?

“If Gary Cahill could come for fifty grand a week, they’d take him, but he won’t,” declares Martin. “No, Spurs will go for [Christopher] Samba at Blackburn. He’d fit right in, and his wages wouldn’t be a problem.”

Defence certainly seems to be an area of concern for Chelsea, given Martin’s revelation the club have opened talks with Marseille for right back Cesar Azpilicueta.

Talk then turns to Newcastle’s interesting dealings on the other side of the Channel.

Related articles:

Video: Man Utd “have to buy the very top players” to compete

Video: Villas-Boas advised to make peace with Chelsea’s senior players

Video: The Life’s a Pitch players to look out for in 2012

Video: “Gonzalo Higuain would offer Chelsea goals and youth”

Video: Chelsea and Tottenham set to fight it out for Gary Cahill

Follow Life’s a Pitch on Twitter @BTLifesapitch

Watch Chelsea, Man Utd and Tottenham live on BT Vision:
Norwich v Chelsea, live 12:30pm, 21 January, Sky Sports 2
Arsenal v Man Utd, live 3:30pm, 22 January, Sky Sports 1
Man City v Tottenham, live 1pm, 22 January, Sky Sports 1

Not got BT Vision? Find out how to get it

More live football fixtures on BT Vision