As already known, Chelsea didn't sign anyone in the January transfer window with most emphasis on a potential big spending summer for the European Champions.
Despite a clear need for a Ben Chilwell back-up, Marina Granovskaia's best attempts to terminate Emerson Palmieri's loan spell at Lyon fell on death ears, football.london understands.
A compensation package of £3million wasn't enough to the frustration of Blues supporters who worry manager Thomas Tuchel hasn't been backed fully.
However, Tuchel is understood to be really happy with his squad currently despite a late lull in form for his Chelsea side, especially in the Premier League with a 10 point deficit now present between themselves and league leaders Man City.
The real test regarding the strength of the board's connection to the Blues boss will come in the summer with at least three moves expected to be completed.
Jules Kounde, Declan Rice and Aurelien Tchouameni are three names high up on the priority list according to The Athletic but on top of this, Niklas Sule could be an easy deal to complete if the six year plan was to be followed.
Two centre-halves and two midfielders on this list showcase the areas of need that require fixing in the summer.
At the back, currently all of Antonio Rudiger, Cesar Azpilicueta and Andreas Christensen are going to walk out the door come the end of the season for free.
The latter two look destined for Barcelona and Bayern Munich respectively, while there has been no progress in Rudiger's contract negotiations.
If these two were to depart then the expectation is that the duo of Kounde and Sule could be signed but it is another defender that could disrupt this potential double deal.
We already know that Tuchel has a good record with Brazilian players in his managerial career with his ever-blossoming relationship with veteran Thiago Silva still reaping rewards for everyone in SW6 this term.
Silva's international compatriot Eder Militao is a defender who is certainly a mainstay in the current Real Madrid team.
The Brazilian has scored a goal and been sent off in his last two outings for Carlo Ancelotti's side but his reliability and assured nature in the backline has caught the eye of the German boss.
This is according to Spanish outlet Diario AS who report that Tuchel and Chelsea are admirers of the defender.
It's no wonder why this would be the case due to the fact that in his 21 La Liga appearances so far in 2021/22, the former Porto man ranks in the top ten in the whole of the league, as per FBref.com, for interceptions made (10th- 42), percentage of aerial duels won (4th- 78%) and points per match rate when he plays for the Los Blancos (10th- 2.24).
Real Madrid want contract rebel Rudiger who could potentially come in at the expense of the 24-year-old in the long-term - a situation which could damage Chelsea in one sense but could make a Militao acquisition more possible.
However, Tuchel is highly keen to see Chelsea's number 2 stick around and would prefer if the Militao swoop wasn't at the expense of the German international.
