Where do Chelsea go next? A question that could end the article there simply because it is hard to gauge a firm answer after encouraging early business with the signings of Raheem Sterling and Kalidou Koulibaly.
After securing the Napoli defender it appeared Todd Boehly was moving swiftly onto the next target in Presnel Kimpembe from PSG. Though in the fortnight since talk of Kimpembe has gone cold, a dormant interest in Jules Kounde was reignited only for the player to choose Barcelona instead.
With days remaining until the season begins at Everton, Chelsea need fresh blood and Thomas Tuchel is not exactly hiding it in public.
READ MORE: Wesley Fofana has outlined 'dream' Chelsea transfer as Todd Boehly eyes Jules Kounde alternative
"The priority right now is our defence, it’s not a secret,” Tuchel said. “We lost top players and so now we need to replace them.”
Leicester defender Wesley Fofana is the latest name on a growing list that includes a variety of different defensive targets that has only caused more confusion. From Matthijs de Ligt to Kimpembe to Pau Torres to Josko Gvardiol, it is hard to ascertain exactly what Chelsea's overarching strategy is with targets this summer.
All of those players are different, they offer various skills, and some are stronger on opposite sides of the defence. What is it that Chelsea needs in a defender for Tuchel?
As claimed by The Athletic, part of the reasoning why Kounde has chosen to remain in Spain is Chelsea's hesitancy over him when a move looked all but certain back in May. There were weeks chasing De Ligt and Nathan Ake over a player who was gutted not to join last summer.
For the players wanting to come it has proved frustrating, for onlookers it has looked a little chaotic leading to the place where Chelsea are now. Whatever you think about the quality of those being linked, the lack of clarity is of concern given how big an investment any new defender would likely be.
Do they suit the Premier League? Are they suited to Tuchel's demands? In a rush to get something done will an inexperienced Boehly and overworked Tuchel lunge towards a compromise in the market just to get a new body in? Some reported targets might suggest that, however, the final month of the window will tell us how accurate that assumption is.
Chelsea sadly cannot sit on their hands and do nothing. The loss of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen was always going to force action and the need for replacements. Even factoring in the returning Levi Colwill, if the club loses Cesar Azpilicueta as well, the numbers within that area still do not look strong enough heading into another challenging season.
This all tracks back to the importance of a sporting director being appointed to take over the reigns from Boehly and start to shape a more coherent plan. The stress would be taken off Tuchel's shoulders, whilst Boehly steps into a more senior role. That successor will hopefully have vast experience dealing in the higher echelons of European football and can lead a team in finding suitable targets for a type of profile needed.
But until that point, the next move in this window feels like one with high risk. And that reality is maybe reflected in the confusing flurry of targets seen in recent days.
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