The final stretch of the 2022/23 season awaits upon Chelsea's return from the international break and while the Blues will be looking for Champions League glory and a degree of redemption in the Premier League, attention will soon turn to the summer.
That process is intensified by the size of Chelsea's first team squad but also the fact in many areas of the pitch, the club remains in transition. The overhaul of defence was clearly seen in the summer with the departures of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen hastening that process, while an overhaul of midfield has been looming.
Jorginho left for Arsenal in January, but N'Golo Kante's contract is currently due to expire in the summer, while Denis Zakaria will see his loan come to an end. The Blues will soon find themselves under pressure to make decisions on a number of players, with a flurry of stars set to enter the final 12 months of their contract.
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The outlay for Enzo Fernandez showed both the World Cup winner's quality and also acknowledged that revitalising the position was a priority for Graham Potter's side. That record Premier League fee does not mean that Chelsea's business in midfield is done, however.
The likes of Declan Rice, Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia remain linked to a move to Stamford Bridge, and Chelsea's current predicament may mean reinforcements are required.
football.london takes a look at the situation of each player who could play in the centre of the pitch who has been involved in the first team.
Enzo Fernandez ( CIES Football Observatory estimated transfer value - £88.4million) - The January signing has quickly become a non-negotiable in Chelsea's midfield and a contender for the Blues' best player following his arrival. The 22-year-old has shown the ability to break up and build play from the base of midfield and also the vision to produce scything passes from advanced positions. His flexibility allows him to slot into different midfield shapes but Chelsea are perhaps more set to build around him for their future.
Mateo Kovacic ( CIES Football Observatory estimated transfer value - £22.1million) - The Croatian midfielder has formed a promising partnership with Fernandez but is set to enter the final 12 months of his deal come the summer. There has been little progress over his future at Stamford Bridge for the moment and there remains a question of whether he would be first choice when Kante is available, as the 28-year-old reaches the point for what could be his final big contract.
N'Golo Kante (Available for free in the summer) - The Frenchman finally made his way back into the Chelsea squad for the visit of Everton and Kante is now sticking to a plan to reach full fitness. Positive noises have emerged about the prospect of the 31-year-old extending his stay at Chelsea, though he has yet to take the field for Potter due to his injury status since the former Brighton coach's arrival.
The Blues will continue to manage his return, with the hope Kante reaches peak fitness and their likely remains some conviction that Chelsea's star can be a game-changing player for the rest of the season and beyond.
Denis Zakaria ( CIES Football Observatory estimated transfer value - £13.3million) - The on-loan Swiss midfielder had to wait patiently for his opportunity before impressing upon his introduction and seeing his progress slowed via an injury against Fulham. The Juventus midfielder has been restricted to substitute appearances following his return and was left out of the squad against Everton last weekend.
The Blues do have an option to make the loan deal permanent for a fee in the region of £26.5million, but that looks unlikely to be actioned at the moment.
Conor Gallagher (CIES Football Observatory estimated transfer value - £31million) - The Cobham product likely feels in an uncertain position having seemed to maintain his status as first bench option following the January transfer window. Crystal Palace and Newcastle both expressed interest earlier this year, but Potter was keen to keep the 23-year-old, who was happy providing he was playing football.
Interest will no doubt arrive once again in the summer if Gallagher has not been able to land a spot in Chelsea's rotation and player and club will be left with a decision to make.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek (CIES Football Observatory estimated transfer value - £13.3million)- The Chelsea midfielder has once again proved his utility this season and at times early in the term, showed his reliability in the centre of the pitch as those around him picked up injuries. The former Fulham and Crystal Palace loanee has been happy with his role with the Blues and added something over the last two seasons but as he also reaches the final year of his contract, a fork in the road could be reached.
The club will need to decide if he will maintain the value of his salary or if they would prefer to attempt to cash-in on him while they still can, otherwise it could lead to another player running down his deal.
Mason Mount (CIES Football Observatory estimated transfer value - £61.9million) - While not strictly a central midfielder, Mount is no stranger to being employed in the midfield three. The England international was among Chelsea's priorities to tie down to a new deal but the two parties have struggled to come to an agreement.
Chelsea's form and outlook for next term has weakened their position, while the form of Mount has not strengthened his own, to leave player and club staring at the final 12 months of the 24-year-old's deal. With the club intending to not let contracts reach lower than two years remaining, a decision could come in the summer.
Carney Chukwuemeka (CIES Football Observatory estimated transfer value - £8.8m)- Chukwuemeka has been restricted to just 11 Premier League appearances but often looked lively in his cameos. His arrival was kept under wraps until the deal was done in the summer but the £20million fee, certainly showed a figure who was intended to be involved with the first team.
The 19-year-old looks the part and when the squad is whittled down could see his playing time increase in the future.
Lewis Hall (CIES Football Observatory estimated transfer value - £5.3million) - The academy star has once again proved his quality in a first team environment despite predominantly returning to under-21 football following the closure of the transfer window. The youngster has proved his quality to maintain a presence in first team training, however, and his versatility has proved useful for Potter. The club will have a decision to make about whether he requires a loan move next.
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