Chelsea finally earned three points at Stamford Bridge for the first time since their win over Newcastle United in March. While the performance wasn't outstanding, everyone was relieved to depart in the sunshine with the opportunity to bask in victory after recent weeks.
Stretches of the match felt flat, however, perhaps tinged by the prospect of Chelsea being almost secure in their Champions League qualification, but the Blues also being frozen in stasis with no new owners and empty seats present due to the sanctions placed on the club despite its special operating licence.
Following the match, it became immediately clear, while Chelsea are stuck, the rest of the world continues to move on as Thomas Tuchel confirmed that Antonio Rudiger would be departing the club in the coming summer. It's believed the German international had an opportunity to agree a contract before sanctions came into place, but it nevertheless confirms that the Blues boss will have a hole in his squad in the shape of the Blues star who has featured more frequently than anyone else in the squad. Tuchel knows it will be difficult to replace one of Chelsea's best players of the season.
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In his post-match press conference, He said: "At the moment, it is not possible because of the sanctions. And even when the sanctions are in the past, it will be incredibly difficult. Toni is what he is. He is a big personality, a big leader. He takes the fear away from other people, gives you confidence when he is next to you and has played 50-60 matches over 90 minutes with incredible consistency. So it will be challenging, but like always, no matter how much I love Toni and how big a role he played, there will be Chelsea without Toni Rudiger, and we will find solutions."
It was not the only transfer theme that was present throughout Chelsea's 1-0 win on Sunday afternoon. West Ham's supporters may have sang 'he's just too good for you' as Declan Rice sat on the bench in the opening half, but it was impossible to ignore Rice's interactions. Craig Dawson's red card for fouling Romelu Lukaku even offered a reminder that Rice is versatile enough to slot into defence.
The England international took in his surroundings at Stamford Bridge ahead of the match, as opposition players often do, but it was difficult to ignore his wave to one of the boxes in the west stand as he patrolled the edge of the centre circle before embracing a member of staff on his way around.
The relationship between Mason Mount and Rice is well documented following their time together in Chelsea's academy, and their familiar bond was once again present on the pitch and following the match. Playful interactions exchanges combined with the duo meeting up after the game. Following their time spent in the changing room, Mount re-emerged to meet Rice in the opposition dugout, clasping hands once again. The pair then headed in the direction of the Shed End as they looked to depart together.
Tuchel even seemed to have a lingering interaction of his own with David Moyes' midfielder at full-time. Chelsea's German coach acknowledged that he appreciates Rice's talents ahead of the game.
He said: "Very highly. He seems to be a very nice guy from what everybody tells me and is from the Chelsea academy, and he proves this [his quality]. That's the most important thing. It feels like he plays every single game.
"He is available, is captain, plays with a lot of responsibility, is a physical player, very strategic-minded player, a key player for his team, and is strong at set-pieces. This is not a surprise. Everybody sees this. He is a huge part of the success of West Ham, and it is impressive."
Rice sounds like he embodies a number of characteristics that Rudiger has encapsulated over the last 12 months or so. The Blues boss is not certain that Chelsea will be competing for the West Ham star's signature.
He added: "Maybe they [players as expensive as Rice] are even out of our league if we don't have our crisis when you hear the numbers that are floating around," Tuchel said with a smile ahead of tomorrow's clash at Stamford Bridge.
"But as you know, we don't speak about other players when it comes to whether we are interested or not interested because we take care of the guys that we have here. Our situation gives me a slight advantage that we can't even think about buying or selling. So there is no need to think about it."
Regardless of whether Chelsea can afford or want to complete a transfer for Rice, it serves as a reminder that the Blues were hopeful of signing a midfielder a year ago. The Irons star and Aurelian Tchouameni were both heavily linked to the club, and now the squad is another year on with Jorginho and N'Golo Kante's contracts set to expire in 2023.
Rudiger's confirmed departure leaves further issues in the Blues' backline, with it long considered that Andreas Christensen is also set to leave the club. Chelsea's attempts to sign Jules Kounde last summer failed, while Cesar Azpilicueta's contract extension doesn't quite guarantee his place at Stamford Bridge next season.
With Chelsea unable to agree on new contracts or complete transfers for the moment, it is weakening their position to prepare for next season. Priorities identified last summer have only become crucial since prospective new owners will have a difficult and immediate task.
