It’s only November, but Chelsea’s January plans have already suffered a major blow more than six weeks before the winter window opens. The Blues are hoping to finally replace Enzo Fernandez.

Man City signed Fernandez in the final hours of the summer window, and Chelsea failed to bring in a replacement. Lamine Camara’s move from Monaco was set to go ahead, but the plug was pulled.

Chelsea will have to look elsewhere when January comes around, if they remain hell-bent on bringing in a new midfielder. But there could be some doubt as to whether Chelsea actually need to sign a midfielder.

Chelsea’s priority signing should be a new centre-back

With Scott off the table, Chelsea need to recalibrate. Is it really a midfielder they need? Moises Caicedo is one of the first names on the team sheet, while Jordan Henderson and Romeo Lavia have been excellent.

Reece James is seen as a midfielder by Alonso, while Valentin Barco is top-quality cover at this level. In defence, meanwhile, Chelsea are using Josh Acheampong and Jorrel Hato as full-backs under Alonso.

That leaves them with Maxence Lacroix, the liability that is Wesley Fofana, an inconsistent Levi Colwill and unused Aaron Anselmino. Lacroix is injured until 2027, and the other three can hardly be trusted.

In the summer, Chelsea signed veterans up top, in midfield, and in goal. Emi Martinez, Henderson and Danny Welbeck arrived, but Chelsea lack that experience at centre-back. Antonio Rudiger is now a target.

Perhaps, Chelsea should consider making a centre-back signing, a commanding, experienced option in defence their next priority. If it’s Rudiger or not, Chelsea need a defender to finally replace Thiago Silva.