Already the assessments over Chelsea's January transfer business have been had, and if you scan social media, you will be hit with a wave of negativity.
Failing to buy back your own player is never a good look. And with a squad that has just escaped a gruelling winter period, the growing clamour for new recruits became obvious.
But all reports from reliable sources have indicated Thomas Tuchel was never aggressively pushing for new signings, preferring the Emerson recall due to a limited market and familiarity with the player.
And as the German proved in Chelsea's last win against Spurs, he can find inventive solutions to the left-back conundrum.
With the transfer deadline passed and no new arrivals. The squad Chelsea entered January with will see them through till May.
Tuchel's brilliant coaching and smart tactical decision-making have vastly improved Chelsea since his arrival and helped transform players with doubts around them.
Here are the four solutions Tuchel has to fill Ben Chilwell's spot until the summer.
Sticking with Sarr
Malang Sarr has gone from a figure expected to join the loan army this season to now a serious first-team option after a series of encouraging displays against Spurs.
Playing as a left-back in Tuchel's recently tried 4-2-2-2 or 4-1-4-1, the French defender was diligent and secure in his work as a fullback in the Blues last win.
If Tuchel opts to stick with this new formation for the foreseeable future, Sarr looks like a competent option.
Rise Like an Alonso
Alonso can be seen as a figure of critique, but he has still proven his attacking threat from his favoured wingback role in moments for Tuchel.
This could be Alonso's final run at Stamford Bridge, given his age and potential for revamp in that area come the summer.
He is a senior member of the group whose winning experience can provide moments of brilliance, but his days as the guaranteed starter seem behind him.
Hope for Hall
Lewis Hall enthused Chelsea's FA Cup performance against Chesterfield last month with fresh energy, encouraging the 17-year-old academy prospect to gain more minutes for Tuchel in the coming months.
Hall is raw and very young, but Cobham talents have regularly shown their ability to make the jump to first-team competition.
Hall could be in line for more minutes in the FA Cup clash with Plymouth this Saturday, and hopefully, he will impress again.
Rolls Reece
"Wait, what? Reece James is destined to dominate Chelsea's right-hand side for the next decade," I hear you shout.
But reader, it can be easy to forget that Tuchel was beginning to try James as a left wingback in the game against Brighton in late December.
In that game, James suffered the hamstring injury that has kept him out for over a month.
He has the athleticism and technical quality, and we shouldn't be surprised if Tuchel fields the 22-year-old on the left again once he returns to full fitness.
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