The final hours of the January transfer window have past and Chelsea have added little to their ranks.
The Blues have seen the likes of Lewis Baker and Tariq Uwakwe depart the club to Stoke and Crewe respectively, while Juan Castillo, Jamie Cumming and Tino Anjorin have all had loans cut short and found new teams for the final months of the season.
Chelsea did sign Dylan Williams from Derby to supplement their weakness on the left side of defence in the development squad, but have been unable to strengthen in the same position in the first team.
The signing of Mason Burstow is also expected to be announced today, but the 18-year-old will head straight back on loan to Charlton.
Emerson Palmieri was said to be Thomas Tuchel's favoured choice, due to his knowledge and familiarity of the player following Ben Chilwell's injury ruling him out for the season. However, Lyon were reluctant to see his loan cut short and the Blues have been unable to persuade them otherwise.
While many will be left frustrated that a problem apparent at the start of January remains unresolved, some of Chelsea's squad might see it as a positive. football.london takes a look at who below:
Lewis Hall
The young Chelsea star impressed on the left side of a back three in his debut against Chesterfield but he has often been fielded as a left wing-back for the Blues' under-23 side.
The 17-year-old has spent a lengthy amount of time with the first-team squad over the festive period and he could still be an option to help with training numbers, in a role few people are trusted in.
If nothing else, he could benefit by surrounding himself with the first team players. Hall, whose natural position is in the centre of midfield, has already spoken of the quality of Mateo Kovacic.
Dylan Williams
The 18-year-old is Chelsea's only signing of the transfer window so far and is ideally suited to a role on the left.
Williams featured six times for the Rams in the Championship, and has been bought to try and solve the lack of depth in the position within the academy set-up. The youngster started in Chelsea's impressive comeback over Liverpool in the FA Youth Cup.
The step up to the Premier League may be too much too soon, but like Hall, Williams could benefit from any time spent with the first team and that must be part of his ambition after stepping up from Derby.
Marcos Alonso
The Spaniard has the obvious benefit that he will be the primary option when Chelsea play with wing-backs.
Alonso's contract is set to expire in the summer of 2023, so any stretch of performances he puts in the coming months will strengthen his hand with Chelsea, and draw in a better calibre of potential suitors. That point could be particularly pertinent if he harbours any hopes of being in contetion for Spain's World Cup squad.
The 31-year-old's fitness will be tested, but he will hope to capture the form he displayed at the beginning of the season.
Malang Sarr
The Frenchman could perhaps be the primary benefactor of Emerson not returning to Stamford Bridge.
Just months ago it was widely expected that Sarr would leave the club but Tuchel has welcomed him into the fold and seen his role grow.
From only being utilised when Antonio Rudiger was rested, Sarr has now been a figure trusted on the left of defence when the Blues boss finally opted to diverge from his trusted back three to a four-man backline.
While this was primarily as a result of the lack of centre backs and wing-backs, it remains an option Tuchel will consider going forwards.
Sarr has completed 90 minutes 10 times this season, four of which have been in the last month. With Chelsea still attacking a number of competitions, the 22-year-old will hope to add to that number.
