Chelsea aren't used to being second fiddle. It isn't normal to be told no. It feels like it didn't happen too many times under the Roman Abramovich era, but making this about owners would be wrong. There's nothing Todd Boehly could be doing more.
The new American owner, already out of his depth as acting interim sporting director, a first for modern football in itself, is leapfrogging around Europe to help Thomas Tuchel catch up in the transfer market. It may seem frantic, but there's sense in the madness of it all.
Boehly has negotiations to make up for, contacts to create, and he wants to enjoy it for himself and the benefit of his new club. But the 2022 summer transfer window has already been a strange one, and that's without Chelsea's lack of action thus far.
READ MORE: Serge Gnabry starts, Lewandowski signed - Chelsea's dream £142m attack with three transfers done
Not only is it new for Chelsea to lose players on free contracts, let alone two key centre-backs in one window, being made to wait in line is a new experience for a club that have historically bustled to the front. In essence, Chelsea are the girl in the meme with the man that turns around to look at another bypassing lady.
We've already seen deals for Raphinha stall as the Brazilian waits for Barcelona to magic up some more funds, a wave of the lever as it seems. Then Matthijs de Ligt politely declined the Blues offer, instead putting them on hold as Bayern Munich came calling. Then back to Spain and Barcelona invented some rules to resign Ousmane Dembele.
There's a gracefulness to the way Chelsea have done their business so far though. It might frustrate fans but there's been no toys chucked, no bath water spilt and the kitchen still looks clean. Tuchel and Boehly remain calm, speak a cool game and have their focus on two things; the team in America that the German is there to work on and prepare, and finding apt replacements and additions for the team come August 6.
This is appropriate once again because another of Chelsea's common acquaintances of this window have come up to stunt them again. It's a mean old game where Bayern Munich and Barcelona are the reason that a signing isn't in London. But here they are.
Ben Jacobs has given hope and exasperation, reporting that Robert Lewandowski has prioritised a move to the Camp Nou over SW6. That's not the end of the story, as the Polish striker does remain open to working with Tuchel, if Xavi can't plunk the funds for his move from mid-air.
Jacobs also states that Paris St Germain are interested in the striker should a move stall to Barcelona. Chelsea once again have been sat firmly in the ejector seat and are waiting, without grumble, to be sent flying from this deal. Though they do remain an option, Lewandowksi is patient and is willing to wait for the Spaniard's to try their best.
Chelsea, patiently as they are, do remain wary of waiting for no reason, as was the case with Raphinha. They have also crucially made Lewandowski a preferred candidate to Cristiano Ronaldo, which begs the question as to if the Manchester United forward is truly an option anyway.
The interesting aspect of this is that being turned down doesn't look to phase Chelsea. It's no longer top target or bust, there's a plan in place to look further down a list of player which would all be suitable. It's never as simple as getting the no.1 man every time, but the big learning point from Abramovich is not to rush emotionally into a clanger, just to get someone signed.
Chelsea are doing their business slowly, but so far methodically. It might be frustrating, but it's a game of chess that could be successful in the long run.
READ NEXT:
