Across the multiverse, there is probably some world that saw Chelsea skip a deal in the 2021 summer transfer window in the search for a new centre-forward.
Instead of breaking the club's transfer record for Romelu Lukaku's cinematic return to Stamford Bridge, Thomas Tuchel stuck with Kai Havertz as his main attacker. What plays out? Would it have led to Chelsea being seriously in the race for Erling Haaland? Would Roman Abramovich have been sanctioned by the UK government in this universe?
The general regret over the near-£100million fee for Lukaku sometimes fails to appreciate that Tuchel did push for a new forward and agreed to the Lukaku deal. Although the Belgian is culpable for his infamous and ill-timed interview and performances on the pitch, he was not forced upon Tuchel as some may want to believe.
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One of the lessons of the Lukaku failure might be that sometimes hanging back and waiting can be as shrewd as acting. Of course on social media, this will never be accepted. The demand is for a new transfer yesterday, and failing to do so means that you are not a big club, and don't have the right "mentality" or "standards".
Though this summer offers Todd Boehly's ownership a chance to wait in some areas should the suitable option not be available. Already there is a split of opinion over the reported pursuit of Raheem Sterling from Manchester City.
Potential fees for Sterling wildly vary according to reports. Some as low as £35million, others closer to £60million, which City are looking to gain for the 27-year-old with one year left on his current deal. Sterling has not only divided opinion due to his flaws and fears over his adaptation to Tuchel's attack, but also a concern for an attack that has seen a lot of money wasted on it.
You broaden this out and the potential need for patience becomes clearer. No more so in central midfield where the futures of N'Golo Kante and Jorginho remain unclear.
Both players have contracts that run out next summer and with long-standing target Declan Rice being valued at over £100million, the chance of buying him might have to wait another year. Although midfield is a priority area, is it worth buying someone reactively? Look how Saul Niguez's loan turned out.
At wing-back, there has been recent chatter over the likes of Sergino Dest from Barcelona, Denzel Dumfries from Inter Milan and Jonathan Clauss from Lens. Rather than spending on a backup, what about promoting from within with Dujon Sterling and Ian Maatsen returning?
In the wing-back area, the buyback for Tino Livramento which is reportedly around £35million from Southampton becomes active in 2023. Waiting to potentially bring the Cobham graduate back might make more sense in the long term - though much of that decision will depend on how he recovers from a serious knee injury.
No longer can Chelsea act as carefree with their spending, Boehly will invest but it is quite clear there will be limits and also a focus on data. Tuchel needs a major upheaval of his squad and getting all of that work achieved in one summer might be a step too far.
