It was after Chelsea's victory over West Ham United that Thomas Tuchel confirmed what many supporters already feared given news had emerged the previous day: Antonio Rudiger had decided to leave the club at the end of his contract. It was a bitter blow for the Blues.
Tuchel has harnassed Rudiger's natural aggression and defensive instincts over the past 18 months, and the German has blossomed into one of Europe's finest centre-backs as a result. It's why he appears set to join Real Madrid in the summer, with the La Liga giants set to offer him a lucrative four-year deal.
It will not be easy to replace Rudiger, something Tuchel accepted during his post-match press conference on Sunday. "It will be incredibly difficult. Toni is what 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.
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"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. We will find solutions."
The problem that Chelsea face, however, is that Rudiger is unlikely to be the only member of Tuchel's defence to move on at the end of this season. Andreas Christensen is also expected to depart once his contract comes to an end, with Barcelona his likely destination.
That will leave the Blues facing something of a defensive overhaul – and there are many different ways that they can do this. Here, we take a look at three different ways Chelsea can line up next term under Tuchel if they enter the transfer market for reinforcements or opt to trust international solutions.
The experienced route
Kounde - Silva - Azpilicueta
Had things worked out differently last summer, Jules Kounde would have spent this season plying his trade at Stamford Bridge. Instead, Chelsea wasn't able to come to an agreement with Sevilla over the fee for the France international, and Trevoh Chalobah was fast-tracked into Tuchel's squad, something that has certainly paid off.
The Blues' interest in the 23-year-old remains, however, and there may be a renewed push to sign Kounde this summer, although that is predicated on Chelsea's next owners being keen to spend the money required to land the centre-back, who will certainly not come cheap.
But let's work on the basis that Chelsea can land Kounde. The Frenchman is a natural to slot in on the right side of the back three given his ability on the ball, comfort in wide areas, defensive nous, and recovery pace. Of course, Reece James shares a lot of these qualities, but the academy graduate is far more threatening in a wing-back role.
Alongside Kounde in the Chelsea back three would naturally be Thiago Silva, who remains one of Europe's finest defenders despite the fact he will celebrate his 38th birthday in September. Who replaces Rudiger on the left is not an easy decision – and another signing could be required – but if Tuchel wants another experienced head, then Azpilicueta is a potential option.
A 12-month extension in the club captain's contract was triggered earlier this month if he is happy to see out his deal, which now expires in the summer of 2023, Azpilicueta could prove an effective stop-gap in the role next term as Levi Colwill (more on him shortly) continues his development and Chalobah steps in for Silva when required.
Whether such a backline would possess the requisite depth to ensure Chelsea launch a title challenge next term is debatable, but it would certainly not lack for defensive quality and experience, which given the amount of change taking place at Stamford Bridge, could be important.
The academy path
Chalobah - Silva - Colwill
It's been proved over the last three years that many of the players schooled in the Chelsea academy at Cobham can make the step up to the first team if given the opportunity. The shining lights are James and Mason Mount – both of whom have become key players under Tuchel and started last year's Champions League final – but there are countless other examples.
Fikayo Tomori impressed in the Chelsea defence before his move to AC Milan. Tammy Abraham, meanwhile, hit double figures in both of his seasons as the Blues' number nine prior to a transfer to Roma. Then there are the likes of Tariq Lamptey, Tino Livramento, Billy Gilmour, Conor Gallagher, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Armando Broja, all of whom have caught the eye either at Stamford Bridge or out on loan at Premier League clubs.
So Tuchel could place his trust in the club's own this summer, back the Cobham conveyer belt once more. In Chalobah, he has a defender who will go into next season with a year's worth of first-team experience at Chelsea under his belt. The 22-year-old has largely impressed no matter where used along the backline – and his little dip in form in March was an important development step.
Chalobah could slot in on the right of the back three alongside Thiago Silva. And on the left could step in Levi Colwill. The 18-year-old has proved himself one of the finest young defenders in Europe this term, having thrived on loan at Championship promotion chasers Huddersfield Town.
He's been earmarked as a future England international and is expected to return to Chelsea for pre-season. A naturally left-footed centre-back who has the physicality to deal with the Premier League's most-combative forwards and the passing range to beat an opposition press, Colwill is ready for the top flight.
And while it would be a bold move from Tuchel to throw the teenager straight into his defence, recent history suggests that the Chelsea head coach would likely be rewarded.
A blend of both
Kounde - Silva - Chalobah
There is very much a non-negotiable in the Chelsea defence for next season: Silva. He has proved his durability this term by playing the second-most minutes of any outfield player – and such has been his level of performance, he the favourite to be named the club's Player of the Season.
The Brazilian will be the rock around which Tuchel constructs his backline once more. It's why a switch to a back four system is likely to take place, at least not on a consistent basis. Yet that doesn't mean the German can't have adventurous and forward-thinking centre-backs alongside Silva.
Kounde is certainly that. Per FBref, he is in the 80th percentile among defenders in Europe's top five leagues for progressive passes per 90 (3.56) and in the 90th percentile for progressive carries (4.84).
Chalobah, meanwhile, doesn't move the ball forward as regularly as the Frenchman – 2.80 progressive passes per 90 – but is confident at stepping out of the Chelsea defence to accelerate attacks (3.80 progressive carries per 90) when required, as has been displayed throughout this season.
Some may question whether the academy graduate would be able to slot in on the left of the back three. If that is the case, it's unlikely they watched Chalobah on loan at Lorient. While the demands of the role would be very different at Chelsea compared to a side battling at the bottom of Ligue 1, the 22-year-old has proved himself able to thrive in a possession-based side and would back himself to adapt once more.
