Graham Potter needs eyes in the back of his head to keep track of Chelsea's players. Not only does he have a large squad with several fringe players to look at, he also has a talented academy at his fingertips and a group of loanees to keep tabs on, too.
These players range from youngsters embarking on their first senior placements to Serie A winners that have been exiled to former clubs. It's a strange mix, but important to remain on top of nonetheless. Add in the intensity of his first five weeks at Stamford Bridge and it's almost an impossible task.
The evidence of why this is so important is right in front of him though. In the current squad, Mason Mount, Reece James, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Conor Gallagher, Trevoh Chalobah and Armando Broja have all spent time on loan.
READ MORE: Every word Chelsea co-owner said on unique takeover, £1bn plans, Todd Boehly and All or Nothing
The group currently out includes Romelu Lukaku, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Levi Colwill and Ethan Ampadu. It's not unfeasible that all of them are incorporated into the squad next season, though it would take a lot of movement.
As for incomings, Chelsea once more looked to take advantage of the temporary market, bringing in Denis Zakaria from Juventus on deadline day. The Swiss midfielder is a shadow of the promising player he once was at Borussia Monchengladbach, though and is yet to play a single minute of football.
The 25-year-old has made the bench three times, though only in the Champions League - which allows for a bigger squad- and hasn't gained access to a Premier League substitutes spot yet. His incoming was needed over the summer, if nothing else but to make up the numbers in a threadbare midfield that Thomas Tuchel couldn't patch together.
Ahead of what promises to be a busy January transfer window - in an unprecedented move it will be coming off the back of a winter World Cup, adding its own uncertain impact - Chelsea have plenty of business to get on with and plan for.
Central to that could be revamping the squad, but doing it without buying players. With nobody currently benefiting from Zakaria's position, former Chelsea defender Glen Johnson believes that the midfielder should return to Italy.
Speaking to Bettingodds.com, Johnson said: “If the situation continues then he should definitely look to cancel his loan in January. When a new manager comes in, they’re looking to figure out who’re the right players in their dressing room and what they have to work with.
"I wouldn’t say anyone’s written off just yet as Potter has only been at the club for four or five games. It’s all new so I wouldn’t do anything hastily, but if he’s not playing by January then he should look to get out.”
There is belief that this is a serious consideration from the club who effectively have nothing but face to lose from the situaiton, especially not with Potter seemingly more likely to use Carney Chukwuemeka than Tuchel was.
Whereas last season Chelsea stuck through with Saul Niguez, despite the Spaniard never looking at home or up-to-speed with the league or standards needed from him, this year they can't afford to make the same mistake.
Tuchel was unwilling to waver from his experienced campaigners but Potter may well have a different approach and could show his ruthless side, cutting ties with Zakaria before they are fully formed.
His loan is not the only one in question though, as Colwill has had a disrupted time on the south coast with Brighton after Potter's move to Chelsea raised questions as to the priority in which Roberto De Zerbi will give a 19-year-old with no Premier League experience. Having already managed Colwill - albeit briefly - and been a big advocate for his signing, Potter could have a big choice to make with him in January too.
That could be via another loan or with implementation into Chelsea's squad, especially with Thiago Silva, Kalidou Koulibaly and Cesar Azpilicueta all expected at the World Cup and Wesley Fofana's current injury, a squad space may open up for Colwill.
Tuchel had a similar opportunity last year with Billy Gilmour at Norwich, but instead the Scottish international remained in a doomed Canaries side and Gilmour wasn't able to elevate his standings with the German manager. Can Potter afford to make the same mistake?
When looking elsewhere, Malang Sarr was kept at Stamford Bridge last season and his loan at Monaco has gained attention for all the wrong reasons. He was involved in a comical own goal whilst playing in the Europa League.
The Frenchman is much more unlikely to be involved at all under Potter, but his development could help to gain a higher transfer fee.
On the opposite end is a player performing well enough to be a serious contender for regular gametime. Hudson-Odoi, though part of a struggling Bayer Leverkusen team, has been playing the type of consistent football he has needed for several years.
The winger has been used in a central role that he was used to in his Cobham days and has impressed with his dribbling and crossing, though the end product and numbers haven't yet followed. There is a release clause in his deal which could prove to be extremely attractive to Chelsea, but bringing him back poses a different type of question.
Although Potter is a fan of the 21-year-old, weighing up the benefit of ending a loan and bringing him back to Chelsea is tough if he isn't going to be a mainstay in the team, otherwise it could be deemed as smarter to allow him the full season away in the Bundesliga.
What Potter chooses to do in January may not only be able to help Chelsea this season but also in the short, medium and long-term future. The decisions in most cases are far from straightforward, though.
READ MORE
Chelsea and England suffer huge blow with Reece James injury worse than initially feared
Graham Potter faces harsh Arsenal and Tottenham reality after Chelsea's old Liverpool problem
Chelsea told World Cup deadline for Rafael Leao deal as director makes harsh Cucurella claim
Why N'Golo Kante might not feature for Chelsea again in 2022 amid potential World Cup blow
Chelsea news and transfers LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and gossip from Stamford Bridge
