Armando Broja has had an impressive season on loan at Southampton.
The 20-year-old has netted seven times for the Saints this term and has managed a better goals per minute ratio than either Romelu Lukaku or Timo Werner.
At moments this season, it's felt that Thomas Tuchel could have utilised Broja's presence up front at Stamford Bridge with Lukaku and Werner both missing stretches of the season.
So, it should come as little surprise that Ralph Hasenhuttl wants the forward to remain at St Mary's Stadium. The Austrian coach has been forthright in offering his view on Broja's future at St Mary's.
"We will find a solution that is hopefully the best for the player and also for us," Hasenhuttl has told reporters.
"There are various options that you can talk about but the most important thing is that the player knows what he has to do.
"I think that he knows very clear what he has with us at this club and that he feels super good here, everyone knows that. He knows Tino [Livramento] and Dynel [Simeu] from Chelsea, he knows Will [Smallbone] and Nathan Tella.
"This isn't about money, it is about feeling comfortable and getting a good atmosphere to develop your game and to get better and better."
Thankfully, there are more parties than the Saints boss involved in the decision-making process.
Broja's mind is firmly on developing, but the Blues can take heart from the fact he wants to send a message directly to Chelsea.
He told The Daily Echo: “Of course, you know that you need to send messages to everywhere. That’s just me, but I’m just focusing on myself and I’m not too fussed on what other players from other clubs are doing.
“It’s obviously good to be on level with some big names and it’s an honour but like I said it’s just about focussing on myself, and just trying to keep pushing forward.
"Of course there’s a bit of sending a message to Chelsea a little bit, it’s my parent club, to the coach and everyone. But it’s just an honour to have these opportunities (with Saints) and I’m thankful for that every day.”
His form on the south coast leaves Chelsea with a predicament for the coming summer, however. Succeeding at a Premier League club could certainly put Broja in the frame of mind to enjoy first team football.
Southampton is the striker's second loan of his Chelsea career following a spell with Vitesse Arnhem, and if his success continutes he will rightly wonder where he lies in the Blues pecking order.
Tuchel would not be drawn on what happens next.
Speaking earlier in January he said: "He's our player and he's doing good, but at the same time it's only half a season, so he needs to continue to improve and to make his statement at Southampton.
"We have a reason why they are our players, they have quality and mentality and now they are out there on their own in different environments and clubs and proving themselves.
"Armando's getting better and better, he's a very unique player with unique strengths in his game, he has speed, he's robust and he's a goalscorer. First of all, now is not the moment to discuss the summer, it's the moment for him to stay calm and keep on improving."
Chelsea managed to persuade Conor Gallagher to take on a second Premier League loan at Crystal Palace following his season at West Bromwich Albion. He has proved a great success, and if the Blues can find the right suitor, perhaps they can point Broja to this path.
However, in the most recent summer, Chelsea struggled to convince Cobham products there is a legitimate path to the first team, as Tino Livramento and Lewis Bate both left for greater opportunity, which could be seen as mistakes later down the line. Broja has been able to follow Livramento's success first hand.
However, Tuchel has found his squad in a position where the Saints full-back could have certainly provided service to his squad in Reece James' absence, while Tariq Lamptey has proved his quality for Brighton against the Blues twice this season.
Chelsea have missed James' presence, and having the option of players moulded in the same way wouldn't go amiss.
It may have been difficult to convince the duo that they could flourish at Stamford Bridge following the emergence of James in the role, but it is up to the Blues to demonstrate that path, and also provide themselves with multiple high-level options in each position.
Livramento was entering the final year of his deal whereas Broja's contract is more secure with a deal agreed until 2026, giving Chelsea more leverage in planning the youngster's future development.
The presence of Lukaku will likely remain a stumbling block to Broja earning regular starts at Chelsea, but with the Blues hopeful of competing on multiple fronts, opportunities could arrive.
Tammy Abraham and Olivier Giroud left west London in the summer, and Chelsea lost certain dimensions they could look to as a result. Tuchel has proved that everyone gets an opportunity in his squad this season, with Trevoh Chalobah's summer emergence particularly notable.
The German coach may not want to discuss Broja's future beyond this season, but the club must already be planning his pathway. The contract he is on show's there is faith in his potential, this season he is starting to realise it and the Blues can't afford to be caught slacking.
Any move would likely include a buy-back clause, but there are more affordable routes for Broja to try and make a career at Chelsea.
