Chelsea have already completed four transfers for their first team in the shape of Kalidou Koulibaly, Raheem Sterling, Marc Cucurella and Carney Chukwuemeka, but more are expected to come. Sterling was seen as a priority by Thomas Tuchel, while Koulibaly helps fill the gap left by Antonio Rudiger and Cucurella adds depth to the Blues' backline. At 18, Chukwuemeka points to the future.
While the business has been impressive, albeit a tad chaotic, it has not solved all of the issues Chelsea have. Tuchel's side kept a clean sheet against an ineffective Everton side, with a back three that perhaps has more experience than any other. Koulibaly, alongside Thiago Silva and Cesar Azpilicueta have racked up 1,890 club matches across their careers.
Anyone would struggle to match their experience and mentality, and while there were a number of examples showing exquisite timing of tackles, you could be forgiven for thinking there was some pace lacking. Silva shot Edouard Mendy quite the glare when he was forced to change gears when the goalkeeper did not come to collect the ball, while Azpilicueta has acknowledged some of his physical struggles from last term.
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It's a situation Tuchel is very aware of despite the club's decision to sign Koulibaly, and to extend Blues captain Azpilicueta's contract.
He said: "It is a lot of experience, it is maybe another of age, it is a lot of experience and they have their quality and they know what they are doing. We also need to make sure we have a new generation to take over in the next years but the guys are strong that is why they are under contract and the guys have our trust.
"There needs to be [balance]. I think it is necessary. The game in general is very physical and demands a lot. This is the situation. We knew it before.
"Azpi is the legend that he is, Thiago is in the moment still very important to us and when we had the chance to sign Kalidou we did it because we believe that he has some years ahead of him. But in general, it is the fact that like the goalkeeper and the double sixes are in their thirties, and that is just what it is.
"Pace is an issue and speed is an issue. In all signings, this is the demand of the game that you can play one on ones, that you can defend space if needed with high-speed runs."
It's an issue Chelsea are seemingly trying to resolve. football.london understands that the club will continue their attempts to sign Wesley Fofana with a world-record bid for a defender expected to go in later this week. The Frenchman would clearly balance Tuchel's options, the defender is just 21 despite entering his third Premier League season. Though in five seasons of senior football, has only completed more than 14 appearances once.
Tuchel also has Trevoh Chalobah to call upon following his breakthrough season last year, while 19-year-old Levi Colwill has undertaken a loan at Brighton to gain some experience, with the German coach seeming to not believe he is quite ready for a role with the Blues. Nevertheless, the solution to the issue would seem to be well in hand.
However, it is not the only area of the field where transition needs to be managed. While Chelsea have been linked with Declan Rice for a number of recent windows, they have done little to strengthen the area in recent times. Perhaps understandably so with the qualities of Jorginho, N'Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic to rely upon.
Tuchel has a vast stock of midfielders with Conor Gallagher, Billy Gilmour and Chukwuemeka now among his number. It was Kante and Jorginho who started at Goodison Park, however. The duo proved crucial in 2020/21 but perhaps lacked a step during an intense 21/22. At 31 and 30 respectively, it's perhaps to be expected, particularly in the rigours of the Premier League. Both have shown promise in pre-season however, but are yet to start meaningful discussions over a new deal with less than 12 months remaining.
At 28, Kovacic goes some way to bridging the gap between the generation of Chelsea midfielders but it's easy to see why Todd Boehly may have a midfielder on his mind. Frenkie de Jong appears to be a prime candidate at the moment given his complex situation at Barcelona and Tuchel's previous affinity for the Dutchman.
The Netherlands international would bring an element of balance to Tuchel's options at 25 and has shown the ability to provide a connection between midfield and attack that the Blues have sometimes lacked. Though whether he can be as successful with teams sitting deep would remain to be seen.
Tuchel not at the end of last season that Chelsea were set for a rebuild, and with new ownership came a new era for the club. A new generation of players may be required to help guide that through.
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