What could Chelsea's winter transfer window look like? 

2) Is Jules Kounde back on the radar?

Chelsea and Sevilla couldn't agree on a fee in the summer

Chelsea believed they had agreed on a fee with Sevilla in the summer for Jules Kounde, only to be told that the Premier League club would need to up their offer by more than £10 million.

Talks broke down at that time, and since then, the La Liga club have inserted a £68-million release clause into the player's contract. It is hard to see how Chelsea can negotiate a lower fee now.

With Rudiger and Christiensen's contract talks up in the air, it does not put the Champions League holders in a bargaining position. They could either pay the release clause next month and loan him back to Sevilla for the remainder of the season - just like Christian Pulisic - or just wait a little longer to get their man.

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3) How about a new left-back?

It all depends on him.

To be fair, that's a tricky question to ask. Ben Chilwell is back in light training as per the plan. The club would now want to see how his knee reacts to training and reserve games, so that could take a while.

Tuchel prefers a fit Chilwell over going and looking for a new left-back, but the club has put all options on the table. If the England international requires surgery, Tuchel and the club would have no option but to find a new man.

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4) What about the midfield?

Chelsea's midfield has been stretched. Will Chelsea finally get their man? Will Chelsea finally get their man?

Chelsea have plenty of players to choose from when it comes to midfield. But the recent Covid outbreak and injuries have left Tuchel short on men. With Kante prone to injuries and Kovacic first being out because of an injury, then testing positive for COVID, has put all the burden on Jorginho. On loan from Atletico Madrid, Saul has yet to cement his place.

This has left Tuchel with few options like Ross Barkley and Ruben Loftus-Cheek. Aurelien Tchouameni is on the club's radar, but a deal in the winter looks less likely. Monaco are in no rush to sell, and the French international has attracted interest from other clubs as well.

How about recalling Billy Gilmour from loan?

It would have been understandable had he not played much, which was the case under the old coach. However, he has been a regular under his new coach, Dean Smith. Plus, it is believed that the Scottish international has already played enough minutes to ensure that the break clause can no longer be triggered.

Chelsea loan coach Carlo Cudicini has also confirmed that Chelsea cannot recall the Scottish international.

Speaking to Ladbrokes, Cudicini said: “What’s important for Conor is to finish the season where he is. That’s why we’ve not put anything in place to recall him next month — it’s the same with Billy Gilmour.”

We all love the Declan Rice saga, don't we?

Though Tuchel admires that player, Rice has a contract until 2024, with the option of extending it by another 12 months at West Ham. Also, West Ham value the English midfielder at more than £100m, a price that Chelsea are unwilling to pay.

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All in all, expect a rather quiet transfer window, Chelsea fans!