Chelsea have a huge summer ahead of them as they look to put what turned out to be a pretty disastrous season behind them.
The Blues missed out on European football and went through two managers along the way, ending the season without a permanent boss in charge. Since then, a new one has been appointed in Xabi Alonso, but Chelsea simply has to find a way to start tripping over themselves.
A functional recruitment strategy is required to build a squad that combines young and experienced players, rather than solely focusing on the former, and they need to show patience with managers over a long period of time.
Chelsea's recruitment hits a hiccup amid new contract offer
The first thing Chelsea need to get right is their summer recruitment, and it's clear this squad has some needs. One of them is in midfield, and there could be more than one new signing required in the midfield if Enzo Fernandez ends up leaving.
It has been reported that Fernandez wants out to join Real Madrid, and that could define Chelsea's recruitment mission this summer.
But either way, at least one more midfielder is required, and AFC Bournemouth star Alex Scott has been linked. The 22-year-old fits Chelsea's current recruitment mould in that he is only 22 years of age, but he is a proven Premier League asset, having already thrived with AFC Bournemouth.
Scott played in 37 of the 38 Premier League games for Bournemouth this season as they secured Europa League football under Andoni Iraola. He also provided four goals from midfield.
The midfielder is clearly one of the brightest English talents in the game, but he is not going to be easy to get, especially with the Cherries having qualified for Europe.
Last week, Fabrizio Romano reported that Scott has already been offered a new contract ahead of the summer, with Bournemouth hoping to extend his current deal, which currently runs until 2028.
New terms and a pay rise are likely for Scott, who will have to choose between staying with his current club and grabbing his opportunity to land a big move.
In truth, he may be wise to stay where he is to continue getting regular football, experiencing European football and developing where he is comfortable. After all, he is only 22 years of age, and if he continues his current form, those offers to join big clubs are not going to go away.
That said, The Athletic has recently claimed that an extension on Scott's behalf is unlikely. Unlikely, but not impossible.
But big offers can change things, and Chelsea will be hoping they can.
Add us as a preferred source on Google