As Chelsea navigate a tricky January schedule, they will do so without left back Ben Chillwell, out for the remainder of the season.
Now, it's been reported that every effort will be made to bring in a replacement.
Though it seems that the club has honed in on Everton 's Lucas Digne, recent speculation seemed to imply that the Toffees were reluctant to part ways with the former Barcelona defender as the club endured a terrible season by their standards.
At first it seemed like all hope had failed, despite Digne falling out with manager Rafael Benitez.
Recent comments from the Spaniard has renewed hope of a deal being struck but Thomas Tuchel is not putting all his eggs in one basket and have identified a back-up target in Barcelona's Sergino Dest.
Here are all the latest Chelsea transfer rumours.
Have your say! Who would you like Chelsea to sign in the January transfer window? Let us know in the comments below!
Digne wants out
Keeping a player that no longer wants to stay at the club is counter-productive and Rafael Benitez has confirmed that Digne has made it crystal clear that he wants to leave Goodison Park.
Though there has been no offer made for the 28-year-old just yet, the former Liverpool boss did reveal in his pre- FA Cup press conference that Digne is 'thinking about leaving.'
"I've had a couple of conversations with him, he told me what he thought," Benitez said.
"So what do you expect the manager to do when he's thinking about leaving?
"I will say again, fans and former players, what would Peter Reid say if a player goes to the manager he doesn't want to be here. Simple."
Dest is an option
With Barcelona struggling for finances and needing to sell or loan players before they can register any new signings, Sergino Dest has popped up as an alternative for Chelsea if they can not get a deal over the line for Digne.
According to the Daily Telegraph, Barcelona are 'willing' to let Dest leave in a deal which would suit all parties.
Chelsea are seeking a short-term replacement for Chillwell and signing the talented 21-year-old on a deal until the end of the season is a move the La Liga side are open to.
Law goes on to say in a social media tweet that signing a full back on a permanent deal 'would mean they go into the summer with five left backs at club which makes little sense.'
Blues will be active
It's refreshing to see a manager speak publicly about the team's desire to strengthen in the winter transfer window and Tuchel has updated fans with what the team's plans are over the next few weeks.
Outside of the obvious need at left back, Reece James' injury could see the club look for a replacement there as well.
Plus with a host of players out of contract in the summer, both at Stamford Bridge and around Europe, offering a team money for a player who is going to leave on a free in six months is smart business and a tactic Chelsea can employ now.
"We are discussing and are in talks with the staff, board and scouting," Tuchel said before Saturday's FA Cup third-round tie at home to fifth-tier Chesterfield.
"We are checking the possibilities which we would always do.
"After our long-term injuries, we are looking into the market possibilities. Not under the highest pressure but things have to make sense for us."