One key area that will be a priority for Frank Lampard in the upcoming transfer window is left-back.
It has become a problem position for Chelsea this term and we have seen a lot of chopping and changing there since the head coach returned to Stamford Bridge last July.
Emerson Palmieri started the campaign in the team before falling out of favour, with Marcos Alonso used there in two different spells after struggling to make the matchday squad throughout the winter months.
Although the Spaniard can play as a left-back, he is much better playing as a left wing-back and that was evident in the games before football went on pause as he followed up his brilliant strike against Spurs with a double away at Bournemouth.
Lampard's issues at left-back since August can also be seen from the fact that he's drafted Cesar Azpilicueta over from the right at times in his quest to fix his problem position.
Linked heavily with Ben Chilwell and Alex Telles in recent months, reports have now suggested that the club could instead launch a move for Ajax's Nicolas Tagliafico.
The Argentina international would cost a lot less than the aforementioned duo and it is believed that a bid of just over £20million could be enough to set the wheels in motion.
The 27-year-old has impressed in his two seasons at the Johan Cruijff ArenA since switching from Independiente in his homeland and he will not be short of offers as he looks destined to move on from the Eredivisie giants over the coming months.
Ajax chief executive Edwin van der Sar has already confirmed that the club will help Tagliafico, Andre Onana and Donny van de Beek take the next step in their careers this summer due to a verbal agreement with the trio 12 months ago, although the ex-Manchester United man has stated that they will not be sold on the cheap.
Amid reported interest from London rivals Arsenal in Tagliafico, Chelsea may just hold the trump card if they make a move for the full-back due to their relationship with Ajax.
The two clubs are well known to each other after Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia agreed on a deal with the Dutch club in February over the transfer of Hakim Ziyech.
The Moroccan international has penned a five-year contract at Stamford Bridge and he will link up with Lampard's side on July 1.
However, that's not the only business the two sides have done over the past few years.
Bertrand Traore swapped Chelsea for Ajax at the start of the 2016/17 campaign as he moved to Amsterdam on a season-long loan deal.
The Burkina Faso featured regularly in his year at the club but there was to be no permanent deal as he joined Lyon in June 2017.
Last August there was also some movement between the clubs once again as youngster Juan Castillo returned to his home country on loan for the remainder of the campaign.
The left-back may not have played for Erik ten Hag's side as he has continued his development with Jong Ajax, but the deal highlights the rapport between the sides.
If Lampard is indeed keen on bringing Tagliafico in to solve his left-back woes then Granovskaia''s relationship with Van der Sar and Ajax could prove key and it may just give them a head start over other clubs in the battle for the highly-rated player.
