It’s already been a very busy summer transfer window for Chelsea Football Club. Led to 4th place in last season’s pandemic-extended Premier League, Frank Lampard has doubled down on signings.

Last season, of course, Chelsea’s pre-existing transfer ban decried that the West London club, famous for spending the rubles of Chairman Roman Abramovich, were unable to splash the cash like they had a reputation for doing before. Mateo Kovacic came in on a permanent deal, but the loss of Eden Hazard meant youth had to be given a chance. Christian Pulisic apart, Chelsea relied on homegrown talent in key areas, with the development of players such as Hudson-Odoi and Abraham key to their success.

This year, a different approach has been taken, with the signings of Hakim Ziyech (£30m), Timo Werner (£45m) and Ben Chilwell (£50m from fellow top four challengers Leicester City) proving that Chelsea have returned to wanting fully developed players with an established reputation rather than unproven yet more youthful talents that can grow at Stamford Bridge.

With the imminent arrival of Kai Havertz in a deal which could cost around £90 million, financial fair play rules seem to dictate that Chelsea’s spending, while currently inside the boundaries of FFP that are permitted, is bound to be over.