With the search for players to fill a new look backline and the future of Chelsea's attack also being less than clear, it has been easy to disregard the midfield heading into the new season.
It has been an area of concern for Thomas Tuchel since last summer as the club battled against N'Golo Kante's injury troubles and unsuccessful transfers. Saul Niguez was the temporary answer but never looked like settling down as a long term option Stamford Bridge.
With Jorginho and Kante's contracts both up next summer and interest in the pair still high, there could still be up to two departures in that area of pitch before the end of the transfer window. In it's current state, Chelsea have a good range of options with Mateo Kovacic and Conor Gallagher also in the mix, plus the option of using Mason Mount as a deeper midfielder in a 4-3-3.
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If one of, let alone both, Jorginho and Kante were to leave this summer though it would leave a massive hole in the team. Chelsea already lack a specialist defensive midfielder, something that has set them back in the timeline of using a four man defence, and the Italian and French duo are the only two currently most suited to this role.
Although Ethan Ampadu and Trevoh Chalobah are capable of filling in, they would both be better suited to centre back roles and have little to no league experience in midfield. The obvious target in recent years has been West Ham's Declan Rice.
The 23-year-old has been one of the league's best midfielders for two campaigns and has now cemented his position as Gareth Southgate's go-to in a midfield pivot or as a sole defensive midfielder. He already has 165 Premier League appearances to his name since making his debut in 2017.
His rise has seen Chelsea already show interest in him, especially under Frank Lampard, and football.london understands he would be Tuchel's first choice option in that position, though any deal with David Moyes' side would be hard to pull off.
Rice, who is now the captain of the Hammers, has admitted that speculation over his future frustrates him as Chelsea continue to probe away with a deal. "It is annoying because of the numbers that get attached to your name, you can't control that at all," he told Sky Sports.
"There's stuff sometimes that you read and you see that you don't want to hear because it's not true in a way. I can't control that, all I can do is go on the pitch and play football and be happy. For the last couple of seasons that's what I've done and that's the faith the manager has put in me."
Rice has already gone on to become of Chelsea's biggest mistakes in recent times as the club let him go at the age of 14. It may have been part of the reason that Marina Granovskaia was always coy on bringing him back to the club for a high fee and that price has since risen.
This hasn't stopped speculation though, and Rice could only add to this with an intriguing choice of words. He said: "All that speculation stuff, that's what comes with playing good I suppose. It's completely out of my mind, nothing has happened, nothing has officially happened, I've always said until anything happens there's no point even talking about it because I'm a West Ham player and I have a contract with West Ham. I'll always respect that and every time I put on the shirt I want to be the best player and I want to give 100%."
Although it is far from a plea to leave, something he wouldn't do, Chelsea have always remained open to talks with West Ham even if they are knocked back. And the longer that Rice refuses to sign a new deal - his current one expires in two year - makes him vulnerable to a lower price in 12 months, the chances of Rice returning will increase.
Additionally, Tuchel has previously admitted that he rates Rice "very highly," also saying, "He seems to be a very nice guy from what everybody tells me and is from the Chelsea academy and he proves this [his quality].
"That’s the most important thing. It feels like he plays every single game. He is available, is captain, plays with a lot of responsibility, is a physical player, very strategic-minded player, a key player for his team, and is strong at set-pieces.
"This is not a surprise. Everybody sees this. He is a huge part of the success of West Ham and it is impressive.”
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