The signing of a central defender depends on exits and the club have to fund the purchase of a striker and a right-footed winger too. There are two questions to answer on the issue: why Chelsea are pursuing another player in this position at all and what are the ramifications for those centre-backs at the club?

At Chelsea Fofana (67.5%) and Trevoh Chalobah (60.56%) are the others to better Huijsen. The Spaniard’s 59.8% aerial duel success rate places him in the 60-80th percentile among centre-backs, which isn’t the worst but you’d want more from such a tall player. Colwill (59.52%) and Adarabioyo (58.06%) are also in that percentile.

Chelsea are monitoring three defenders in case they lose the transfer race to sign AFC Bournemouth star Dean Huijsen, according to reports. It was reported on Wednesday that Chelsea were in pole position to land the Cherries centre-back, who is thought to have a £50m release clause.