Chelsea now face the possibility of losing star midfielder Enzo Fernandez this summer amid reports the Argentine wants to join Real Madrid.
After Chelsea missed out on European football, it should come as no surprise if some of their top players want to join teams that are ready to compete for titles, and Fernandez was always going to be close to the top of that list.
Reports claim Chelsea want £120million to sell, and much may come down to how Real Madrid's presidential election goes. But if Chelsea do need to replace Fernandez this summer, who can they turn to?
Here we take a look, and we have kept it realistic, given they are not going to get their hands on the world's best midfielders like Rodri, Joao Neves, Declan Rice or Martin Zubimendi.
Chelsea's options for an Enzo Fernandez replacement ranked
3. Leon Goretzka
The cheapest option is Bayern Munich's reliable veteran Leon Goretzka, who is available on a free transfer after the Bundesliga winners decided not to renew his contract.
That decision is mostly down to the fact he is now 31, but having just played 31 of the 38 Bundesliga games in a title-winning campaign, only losing one of those games, it's clear he can still play a big role.
If Chelsea need a stopgap to fill the hole while they line up a big option next summer, Goretzka would be a wise and experienced option.
2. Adam Wharton
His stock may have fallen a little this season in a choppy Crystal Palace season, but Wharton remains a big talent who can operate the midfield very well in a holding role.
He has proven Premier League experience, has held his own against top clubs, and he is still only 22 years of age. This is the time to strike for Wharton before someone else does, and before he has a bounce-back season. He is a quality player with big potential, and he should be someone Chelsea at least considers.
1. Sandro Tonali
Perhaps the most difficult option to get, Tonali represents a slightly different option in that he is more box-to-back than Wharton, for instance, but that makes him a very good replacement for Fernandez, who also endeavours to get forward.
Tonali would be expensive, but this is also a good time to strike, given Newcastle United's poor season and the fact that they are not in Europe. Chelsea are the same, but it will affect the price. Tonali is a proven Premier League midfielder at this stage, and he can add goals and assists.
Tonali has thrived in the Champions League and Premier League and would be well worth the money. Arsenal have also been linked in the past, but the Blues may have an opening, unlike the Gunners, which could give them the edge.
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