Chelsea have managed to sign two stellar players in Kalidou Koulibaly and Raheem Sterling this summer, but still, there is a feeling of stagnation at the club. The Blues have failed in attempts to sign the likes of Raphina, Matthijs de Ligt and Nathan Ake, with Jules Kounde set to follow.
The French defender has been a Chelsea target for more than a year, with the club even having an agreement for personal terms for the 23-year-old. However, after once again being confident of landing Kounde, it appears Barcelona are in a position to make a proposal for the Sevilla star, and Chelsea may be willing to move on to other targets.
Dutch defender Denzel Dumfries may be next on the list in a move that would signal a move for a wing-back comes next rather than a central defender. Whether that means the club are just in a stronger position to instigate negotiations for the Inter Milan star, given the relationship built in arranging Romelu Lukaku's loan while assessing other options at centre-back, or it is a case of Plan B remains to be seen.
READ NEXT: Denzel Dumfries transfer hints at Chelsea's plan for two aces with Jules Kounde future uncertain
Regardless, with less than two weeks until the Premier League season, there are a number of uncertain futures emerging at Chelsea, not helped by a lack of incoming options to inform both coaching staff and players' plans. football.london takes a look at how the Blues' chase for a new central defender could be impacting those already at the club.
Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso - The Chelsea duo have long been linked with a move away from the club this summer to the team that have plagued the Blues' transfer window this summer in Barcelona, no less. The Catalan club have proved frustrating for Chelsea in recent months, and that appears true in their pursuit of Azpilicueta, too, as Thomas Tuchel acknowledged.
He said: "It's a tough question because I am not sure if I want to give Azpi what he wants. At some point, it is about what we want. I just made the comparison about how much we fought for Koulibaly, who is a national team player and roughly the same age. He is a hugely important player for Napoli, but we have a Spanish international who is the captain at Chelsea. I see him maybe at the same level, but Barcelona don't see him on that level. So I am not sure if I want to give him what he wants as he is a huge player.
"We don't think so much about other clubs. The focus is on us and what we need. I said that to him, and I say it to you that I understand on a personal and a career level. But I am not only in this role to give him what he wants. I am a manager for Chelsea who wants to do what's best for Chelsea.
"He doesn't like it, but he understands. It is tough for him because the other club is permanently on him. On September 1st, when things calm down, then he can play on his highest level."
The club's willingness to engage with Barcelona moving forward will dictate both players' futures, despite each just having 12 months remaining on their deal. In turn, that could see Emerson Palmieri impacted currently being home to three left backs and Ben Chilwell likely to be the first choice.
Levi Colwill and Ethan Ampadu - Neither player, spent last season at Stamford Bridge and will be hoping to discover sooner rather than later where they are most likely to play some football in 2022/23. Colwill's pre-season has been disrupted through injury, and they still must impress Tuchel, but if the club are unable to secure another centre-back, the coming term may present him with a big opportunity.
Likewise, with Ampadu, he has featured in multiple positions this summer, and his versatility has been a strength that could aid him in having a regular spot in the Chelsea side. If Kounde was to arrive, his ability to play both in the centre and as a right back may have impacted some of Ampadu's usefulness depending on his ability to be back up to Reece James was deemed superior or not. If Dumfries arrives, perhaps there will still be room to assist the depth of the back three. If neither day, a significant role could await ahead of the World Cup.
Trevoh Chalobah and Reece James - Both players have a much more secure future than their teammates, who have already been mentioned, but how their role develops throughout the season could be severely impacted. At the moment, it isn't easy to see a Chelsea making an XI without Chalobah on the right side of the defence. A high-profile signing could obviously change that, particularly if it is someone who fits into a back three.
James will be the first choice wing-back regardless of what happens, but if the Blues opt to sign a backup option that costs close to the £40m Inter reportedly want for Dumfries - that would suggest a significant rotation could come into play. That is still unlikely to mean that James has to settle for a place on the bench, but it could mean he plays in that back three. How that impacts, the morale of those players will be interesting, in addition to losing out on James' attacking qualities.
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