DESPITE a top four place being on the line, Chelsea failed to spend a single penny during the January transfer window – after fighting to get their transfer ban lifted.
But boss Frank Lampard can be consoled with the reported £150million war chest set to be handed to him for new recruits in the summer.
The 41-year-old was after a striker to bolster his team’s Champions League hopes, with short-term moves for the likes of Edinson Cavani and Dries Mertens falling through.
But the Standard claim that Lamps will be given the required funds to land his main targets in the summer.
Among these targets are the likes of Jadon Sancho and Moussa Dembele, and we take a look at how the Blues could shape up next season after a proper summer splurge.
Lampard caused a stir on Saturday by dropping Spain international goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga for the 2-2 draw with Leicester.
But he was justified in doing so, with the £71million stopper failing so far to live up to his price-tag, consistently letting in shots that should be saved.
Blues chiefs will be reluctant to give up on their hefty investment, but they may have to back their manager on this one and try again.
Chelsea have long held an interest in AC Milan goalie Gianluigi Donnarumma and could return for the 20-year-old in the summer.
The young Italian international has already racked up an astonishing 186 games for Milan.
But with the Italian giants again underachieving in eighth, now could be the time for Chelsea to pounce.
While things could be improved, Lampard’s centre-back options are fairly promising.
Fikayo Tomori, Kurt Zouma and Andreas Christensen are all a good age and have shown signs of becoming top-class defenders.
The more experienced Antonio Rudiger also gives the Blues a decent option in the middle of their defence.
Reece James looks the perfect heir to Cesar Azpilicueta’s right-back slot, possessing a devilish delivery and a brilliant engine.
Left-back, however, has been an issue.
Marcos Alonso doesn’t have the defensive capabilities to play in a back four, and Emerson Palmieri has not been good enough since moving from Roma in January 2018.
With the position being a high priority, Lampard could go all out on securing Leicester and England left-back Ben Chilwell, providing balance and stability to a young, imposing defence.
Improving their midfield shouldn’t be top of Blues’ chiefs priorities right now – with talented options plentiful.
Mateo Kovacic’s improvement under Lamps has been remarkable.
The Croatian is good enough to fight with Jorginho to play at the base of Chelsea’s 4-3-3 – with the talented teen Billy Gilmour also set to get more minutes.
Flanking the 25-year-old will be N’Golo Kante and Mason Mount.
Nothing more needs to be said about Kante, he is Mr Consistency and oozes class at Stamford Bridge.
With Mount, however, it should be considered just how impressive this breakthrough campaign has been.
It is very easy to forget that he has only just turned 21, having achieved such a high level of performance already.
He could perhaps do with a rest, looking a little jaded, but Mount is one for Lampard to build his team around.
In Tammy Abraham, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Christian Pulisic, Chelsea already possess one of the most exciting young front-lines in the world.
Lampard, however, appears to have zero faith in the ageing deputies at his disposal.
The likes of Olivier Giroud and Pedro have barely seen any action and will move on at the end of the season, with fellow 30 plus attacker Willian also possibly joining them out the door at the Bridge.
These squad places could be replaced with some amazing talent.
It is understood that even while chasing Cavani and Mertens, Lyon’s Moussa Dembele was their top striker target.
He was unavailable last month, but should be able to leave Ligue 1 in the summer.
The ex-Celtic forward, still aged just 23, has flourished back in France, netting 38 goals in 79 games for Lyon.
The most exciting signing for Blues fans, however, will be Jadon Sancho.
Still only 19, the Londoner has electrified the Bundesliga since leaving Manchester City for Borussia Dortmund in 2017.
Overlooked just slightly recently because of Erling Haaland’s amazing start at Signal Iduna Park, Sancho is having an astonishing season of his own.
The England international has scored 15 goals and assisted a further 16 and, capable of playing on either flank, could be the final piece of the jigsaw in terms of turning Chelsea into a European powerhouse again.
