Chelsea have already made their official first signing of the Mauricio Pochettino era but by bringing in 16-year-old Kendry Paez, they have brought in a player that agreed to join them whilst Graham Potter was the manager. It's not to worry for the incumbent manager, though, more are expected to follow.
Christopher Nkunku has a pre-agreement to join the club and is now just an announcement away from being confirmed. His future is one of the worst-kept secrets in the game. Despite wholesale changes across the board, he also isn't expected to be the last.
Pochettino is seeking improvements in three key areas this summer and has already been dealt a major blow in his bid to add depth to one of those positions. With a new goalkeeper - or maybe two - needed as well as a striker, there are still some big deals to be done.
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It is the midfield that holds the most intrigue, however, with as many as five players still with uncertain futures. Mason Mount is set to be sold this summer, N'Golo Kante hasn't agreed a new deal yet despite progress being made towards an extension. Ruben Loftus-Cheek is closing in on a move to AC Milan, football.london understands, and Mateo Kovacic is a target for Manchester City.
Conor Gallagher, whilst a player that fits Pochettino's style, is also not a surefire player to remain due to his value as an academy player, homegrown and Premier League proven. It could leave the Argentine with a lack of first-choice options, hence the interest in Manuel Ugarte.
That ship has since sailed in spectacular fashion but the Blues were able to bring some positivity, securing the deal for talented Ecuadorian wonderkid Paez. He will have to wait until 2025 at the earliest before he can make an appearance for the Blues, coming after his 18th birthday.
He has already scored as a 16-year-old in the senior team for Independiente del Valle and also scored for the Under-20 Ecuador side at the ongoing World Cup in Argentina. He has captained his country as well at the junior age groups and is certainly one to keep an eye on.
In the more immediate future, there is still a gap in the midfield to be filled and his fellow countryman Moises Caicedo has emerged as the new priority option, football.london has learned. The 21-year-old only signed a new long-term deal with Brighton earlier this year but the club are resigned to losing him to big bids this summer.
"I think it can be the last game for Alexis Mac Allister and Moises Caicedo at Brighton," Roberto De Zerbi said at the end of the season. I am really sorry because they are two great players but the policy of Brighton is like this. It is right that they can leave, to play at higher level."
Chelsea now know that they have to make Caicedo a non-negotiable addition to the squad or else they risk leaving Pochettino short-changed. As a player not only adding quality now but also for the years to come, he might just already have the perfect emergent partner by his side at Stamford Bridge as well.
Before even his 17th birthday, Paez has now been called up for the Ecuador senior side and will be in the squad alongside Caicedo for their matches against Bolivia and Costa Rica later this month. It will be the first time Paez and Caicedo have the chance to play together and could, Pochettino hopes, be a glimpse into the future Chelsea midfield.
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