With an entire XI of forwards on the books at Chelsea, Graham Potter has a serious selection dilemma waiting for him. Outside of the spate of injuries that are reducing available numbers almost by the day, there is a backlog of players that can function across the forward line.
Christian Pulisic and Raheem Sterling are both out whilst Armando Broja won't return until next season. Mason Mount is still being played out of position as a makeshift forward and it was Conor Gallagher that joined him in support of Kai Havertz at Anfield. The German himself is a tough case to crack.
Even before the winter window there were a number of options for Potter. Now, four of the six players signed have added to the competition for places. Joao Felix is a versatile and fluid forward, Mykhailo Mudryk is more of an orthodox wideman, whereas David Datro Fofana is a centre forward. Noni Madueke is a right-sided winger.
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This all points towards a mass exodus approaching. It was something that Todd Boehly and Co were keen to get started over the summer but found it hard to shift players. Pulisic was offered out to clubs across Europe and interest in him is expected to continue into 2023, whilst Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang would be allowed to leave this window.
Kai Havertz is subject to interest from Bayern Munich as his struggle to find consistency goes on meanwhile Romelu Lukaku is expected to return to Inter Milan on loan next season. Callum Hudson-Odoi will have to fight tooth and nail for his place.
It is Hakim Ziyech that is the most intriguing player to monitor currently though. He has started five matches in a row since coming back from the World Cup and has shown an upturn in form, even though his output hasn't changed dramatically. The Moroccan was pushing for a move last summer and could yet find his way out of the club this month.
He isn't a first choice player when his teammates are fit but he has played a useful role in recent weeks for Potter. That being said, it is hard to see these performances as much more than an audition for his next club.
In order to gain that move though, something is going to have to give. Chelsea were keen on selling him but have only found loan interest coming his way so far. AC Milan had spoken to him and Newcastle were also interested, whilst Manchester United provided a shock route away as well.
It is now Jose Mourinho's Roma that have been in contact, speaking to Ziyech's representatives in recent days, according to Gianluca Di Marzio. The issue is that Ziyech, even on a small transfer fee or a loan, has a high salary and so far doesn't appear to have been willing to budge on that.
This is an issue that has plagued Chelsea in recent years when trying to move on underperforming stars. The insistence on making a return - or at worse a small loss - has meant that transfers have been delayed and put off, meanwhile players are ageing, not playing and still demanding high wages. Ziyech is no different.
It could be that what halts the exits from SW6 in 2023 and how the Blues deal with Ziyech could determine the direction that is taken with other players too.
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