The January transfer window passed without a single new face at Chelsea.
This was a massive surprise given that a few weeks before the window opened the Blues were handed a boost as their transfer ban was reduced upon an successful appeal to CAS.
This prompted speculation that the west London outfit would be busy amid links to the likes of Jadon Sancho, Dries Mertens, Edinson Cavani, Ben Chilwell and Timo Werner among plenty others.
However, as the clock struck 11pm on January 31st it was confirmed that Chelsea had opted to keep their power dry until the summer transfer window.
As a result of not making a single signing last month, head coach Frank Lampard said his side are now underdogs for a top four spot.
When asked if he is now worried about Chelsea's top rivals having bolstered their squads, Lampard replied: "Yes. Tottenham have signed a few and they're not far behind us.
"And not only have they signed a few, but a couple of players have left where obviously – not being too crude about it – the situation was they were towards the end of their contracts and maybe weren't happy being at the club any more.
"Sometimes that's as important as bringing players in. It's changing the feeling of the group if players are not wanting to be there so that’s obviously smart business on that part.
"Now what remains to be seen will be seen and from my view – and this is not to talk down ourselves because we're six points clear in fourth – now we become probably the underdogs and the outsiders to some point because the teams around us have strengthened.
"It's a fact."
If the Blues can hold onto to that final Champions League spot, then this summer could be a big one for Lampard.
Reports claim he could be given a transfer budget of up to £150m before player sales, which means the Chelsea starting lineup on the opening day of the 2020/21 season could look a little different.
Below we take a look into the future and speculate on how the west London outfit could start next season with Lampard being backed in the transfer market.
Kepa Arrizabalaga's day at Chelsea could be numbered and the Blues have been linked with moves for Andre Onana and Nick Pope.
Left-back is also a priority for Lampard and Leicester City's Ben Chilwell seems the most logical option.
In central defence, could this summer finally see the arrival of Kalidou Kouliably from Napoli following years of transfer speculation? If so, he could form a solid partnership with Antonio Rudiger.
The number 10 position could be filled by Hakim Ziyech and this transfer could soon become a reality amid De Telegraaf claiming a €45millon (£37m) deal has been reached in principle.
Ziyech could be flanked by Callum Hudson-Odoi and new signing Jadon Sancho. The trio would be tasked with creating chances for Moussa Dembele who could arrive to provide Tammy Abraham with some competition.
Chelsea XI: Onana; James, Rudiger, Koulibaly; Chilwell; Jorginho, Kante; Hudson-Odoi, Ziyech, Sancho; Dembele
