Nine Premier League clubs will play in Europe next season, but Chelsea will not be among them.
This is an obstacle, but it's one that has not deterred Xabi Alonso in his move to west London, ready and eager to take the reins of this ambitious project and place Chelsea back in the limelight.
The Blues' end-of-season defeat at Sunderland ended their hopes of salvaging a ticket onto the European train, but you need only look over at Manchester United and their recent resurgence to learn of the benefits of completing a reduced schedule.
xabi-alonso-chelsea-premier-league
However, by-products have arisen, with the biggest surely Enzo Fernandez's hopes of completing a move away from Stamford Bridge this summer.
How Chelsea plan to replace Enzo Fernandez
Chelsea are willing to accept Fernandez's departure this summer, but they would seek a staggering sum of £120m, which has so far deterred suitors.
Real Madrid are among the more interested parties, but even Los Blancos view Chelsea's transfer demands as unreasonable. However, they do have a solution.
According to TEAMtalk, Chelsea discussions over Fernandez's potential transfer have turned toward Aurelien Tchouameni, who could be added as a makeweight.
Tchouameni-Real-Madrid-Rodrygo
Valued at £70m and also coveted by Manchester United, the France international is one of the best in the business, and while he might not be as expansive a distributor as Fernandez, he would reinforce Alonso's midfield and then some.
Tchouameni formed half of a much-discussed public fallout with teammate Fede Valverde, so a summer exit could prove a welcome opportunity that would suit all involved parties.
Tchouameni could be better than Matic for Chelsea
Tchouameni's combative and intelligent midfield play is underpinned by an awareness of who and what he is as a footballer, keeping it crisp but calculated on the ball.
In that, he has all the attributes to develop into Chelsea's new version of Nemanja Matic, who was hailed by Jose Mourinho back in 2014 as "the best player" in the squad - a title-winning squad also consisting of the likes of Eden Hazard, Cesc Fabregas, Diego Costa and more.
nemanja-matic-chelsea
Nemanja Matic for Chelsea.
In La Liga this season, Tchouameni put his injury-hit woes of recent years behind him, featuring prominently under Alonso and then Alvaro Arbeloa, completing 91% of his passes and winning 68% of his duels, absurd numbers that point toward his world-class quality.
The 26-year-old has had his difficulties in the past, but he's always been tipped for big things, joining the Spanish superpower from AS Monaco in 2022 - a deal with a total cost reaching around £84m.
Once regarded as the future of France, Tchouameni is now one of the meanest number sixes around, actually considered to be "the best defensive midfielder in the world" by former teammate Chema Andres.
By reinforcing a shaky and uncertain Chelsea team with his cool and tenacious midfield skillset, Tchouameni would allow Cole Palmer to rediscover himself as the Blues' most important attacking outlet. It could also give rise to further attacking link-ups that simply haven't been there this year, especially if BlueCo sign a striker for the Stamford Bridge side.
Moreover, he has title-winning experience of the highest degree, and would provide Alonso with a calming presence from which teammates could take inspiration from as they push for a return to the ascendancy.
Matic was always immense. Always in the right place. Always reading opponents and staying one step ahead. However, Tchouameni might just be an even bigger talent, dictating the tempo of a game, controlling the pace, while bringing a fearlessness that few possess so innately.
Tchouameni-Deschamps-France
Manchester United have a vested interest of their own, and Chelsea cannot allow Tchouameni to end up at Old Trafford; he could end up becoming an all-timer for the Londoners.
enzo-fernandez Related
He's better than Enzo Fernandez: Chelsea hold talks to sign £100m midfielder
Chelsea have entered discussions with a leading midfielder over a move to Stamford Bridge.