There are a lot of interesting transfer decisions just around the corner for Everton.
Both in terms of incomings and outgoings, the next two windows could be crucial for setting the direction of the club in the immediate future, and potentially setting it up for the European competition everyone is so desperate for.
There are big names coming to the end of their contracts and others that the Blues will be determined to keep for longer - with the likes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison surely heading that particular list.
But, it's not just the senior players that these matters concern. Arguably, the future of the youth players could set an important precedent.
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That's where Lewis Dobbin comes in.
The youngster has been on a tremendous rise through the ranks in recent years, having impressed at under-18 level before being called up to the under-23s on a regular basis last season.
With the exit of Ellis Simms on loan, more opportunities for Dobbin and Tom Cannon came about in the second half of the term and both caught the eye with some fantastic displays.
They continued that through the summer, with Dobbin particularly hitting the headlines for scoring hat-tricks in pre-season matches to really set himself up for the coming campaign.
His performances were so good that they caught the eye of Rafa Benitez, who gave the attacker a run-out at Old Trafford in the final warm-up match of the summer.
A few months later, Dobbin was being introduced during the league fixture away to Manchester United to help see out a 1-1 draw.
If that doesn't sum up the confidence Benitez has in the teenager, then perhaps his comments when asked about a potential new contract for him might.
Benitez recently remarked : “I think the player is quite happy and our conversations with him have been quite positive.
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“I have confidence that he will be delighted to stay with us in the future.”
This comes, of course, as some rumours have started to circle - suggesting that Dobbin could be looking for pastures new in the near future.
Everton can't allow that to happen. Not because Dobbin is a finished article who needs to be playing every match for the club right now - he still has a lot to learn, of course.
He was rather thrust into the limelight against Chelsea last time out, coming off the bench to play the final half hour of the match, because of the injury and Covid situation that the Blues found themselves in.
However, he stood up to the challenge well and was clearly very determined to make something of an impact.
The way in which he constantly closed down the Chelsea defenders with pace and desire not only garnered an instant response from the away end, but was exactly what his side needed at that point of the match.
That energy and purpose impressed many who watched the game, and pointed toward a player who is ready to improve as much as he can.
Dobbin, who is set to turn 19 at the beginning of January, is at the age in which he'll firmly have his sights set on some level of first-team football.
While he might not be ready for the Everton set-up on a regular basis as of yet, the need to show that there is a pathway there for players such as this is absolutely crucial.
So often in the past, that hasn't been the case.
Even recently, despite the best wishes of people involved at the club, highly-rated defender Thierry Small was convinced that his future lay better elsewhere.
Despite having already made his senior debut in the FA Cup back in January, and with Niels Nkounkou leaving the club on loan and further restricting first-team left-back options, Small moved to Southampton in the summer.
The defender is yet to make a first-team appearance for his new side, but has been a regular in the under-23s set-up over recent weeks. If he'd stayed, it might have been different - but the decision was still made.
Everton will be wary of the same happening for other youngsters.
In the best of circumstances, it's tough to give younger players consistent opportunities - as realistically there are a squad of senior players usually ahead of them.
Recently, there has been more opportunity for the Blues - but often Benitez has not taken up the chance fully.
The Chelsea match could be a turning point, though, with the likes of Simms and Jarrad Branthwaite starting and managing to impress. Both are signed up to long-term contracts, but Dobbin is not.
He had interest from European sides when he signed his first professional contract at Everton, with clubs in Germany and France as well as those in the Premier League keeping an eye on him.
There will no doubt be no shortage of suitors in at the end of this term when his current deal runs out, either.
But this is a chance for Everton to set a precedent for those around Dobbin in the youth system - the likes of Tyler Onyango or Reece Welch who could next have their eyes set on making the regular step up.
This is where the Blues need to make their pathway to the first team most evident.
They have a young forward on their hands who is desperate to impress, so let him do it whenever the opportunity arrives. Send him on loan if necessary, aid his development in whatever way possible.
Anthony Gordon's recent progress has shown that managing players at a young age and giving them responsibility can certainly work to everybody's benefit.
A new deal for Dobbin might not be huge for the first team right now, but it certainly is crucial for the direction the club needs to progress in.
