The transfer window has been open for two weeks and Chelsea are yet to make a transfer. It's undoubtedly a source of frustration for many but with a new hierarchy still finding their feet, a changing board and the club recovering from sanctions on top of the other obstacles in play, it should perhaps come as little surprise.
Todd Boehly is set to take the role of chairman following Bruce Buck's departure, and could perhaps take on many of Marina Granovskaia's responsibilities alongside Thomas Tuchel if, as expected, her departure is confirmed. That appears to have already included negotiations of Romelu Lukaku's return to Inter Milan.
While a month is yet to pass since ownership passed from Roman Abramovich to the Boehly and Clearlake Capital consortium, too long a pause in transfer business cannot be afford. The Women's side, having won the Super League in 2022/23, have already made two landmark signings to make clear their ambition for the following season.
READ MORE: Jules Kounde, Ousmane Dembele - Why Chelsea are yet to sign anyone in the summer transfer window
Kadeisha Buchanan stated upon signing: "I am coming to Chelsea with the same ambition I always had - win trophies and become the best in the world. The club has everything in order for us to compete in every competition and it’s time to bring a Champions League trophy to London."
Of course, that is the ambition Tuchel has for the men's team, and the ambition he wants to see from the hierarchy and any players the Blues are able to bring in to the first team. However, in comparison to the Premier League's elite, so far Chelsea have moved backwards.
Tuchel has lost the talent of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen in comparison to Manchester City and Liverpool, who have signed Erling Haaland and Darwin Nunez, respectively. Even before those early bits of business looked to further strengthen their rivals, Chelsea finished 19 points behind the Premier League champions last term.
Chelsea have been closely linked to a number of additions including Jules Kounde, Ousmane Dembele, Raheem Sterling, Matthijs de Ligt and more. The Blues are targeting elite players, and those stars are also likely to want to be competitive. The latter made that clear when discussing his future at Juventus.
Speaking at the end of the season de Ligt told NOS: "Negotiations are ongoing at the moment and when the time comes I will decide whether to extend or look elsewhere. I always look at what is best for me in terms of the sporting project. Two consecutive fourth place finishes are not enough, we have to make progress in that direction because these are disappointing results. Juventus are a club that always wants and must become champions."
Success is clearly on the Dutch defender's mind and finishes of fourth and third that Chelsea have earned may not be much more appealing. The Blues' cup success will go some way to mediating that issue but as the transfer window goes on and next season approaches, it is a landscape players will start to consider.
The longer Chelsea's first transfers take, the more difficult it may end up being to convince other targets of the club's ambition. It remains early for this to be an issue, but pre-season is less than two weeks away and the truncated summer will soon add further pressure. Tangible improvements will be the best way to prove Chelsea's targets for next season, and convince players of a similar calibre to de Ligt of the club's future ambitions.
