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Chelsea have been a major player in transfer windows since Roman Abramovich came to west London, but all that might be about to change.
The Blues have been handed a two-year transfer ban by FIFA in relation to deals done for players under the age of 18 and as things stand, they won't be able to sign any new players until the summer of 2020.
However, the club have appealed the decision and that could either see it deferred, meaning they would be able to sign players this summer, or it may be reduced altogether.
Christian Pulisic will join in the summer no matter what happens after Chelsea signed him in January before sending him back on loan to Borussia Dortmund, with his registration already complete before the FIFA ban
Maurizio Sarri has implemented his Sarri-ball philosophy at Stamford Bridge this season but it's clear that he needs new players in that fit his system, but this looming transfer ban could cause real problems for the Italian.
With that in mind, we've taken a look at some of the players around the world that the Blues should look at signing in the summer if their ban is deferred to allow Sarri, if he's still in the job of course, to guide the side through that period.
The perfect full back option - Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Aaron Wan-Bissaka has had a wonderful season across the River Thames at Crystal Palace and has gone from strength to strength since making his debut in February 2018.
He's been an ever present for Roy Hodgson and has put in some solid performances from his right back slot, getting forward to help join attacks while also being solid and reliable at the back.
At just 21 he's got bagfuls of potential and he would be the perfect man to take over the reins from Chelsea's ageing full backs.
Cesar Azpilicueta has been a wonderful servant for the club, but at the age of 29 he is starting to move into the twilight of his career, especial with the fast-paced style Sarri has the side playing.
Wan-Bissaka would be the perfect player to replace him, he's English, young and hungry and fits the bill of what Chelsea should be looking for in their future transfer policies.
However, Palace know what a talent they've got and any club looking at Wan-Bissaka will know he will come with a hefty price tag, while there's no indication that the young man would want to leave Selhurst Park so early on in his career.
The more realistic option - Elseid Hysaj
Elseid Hysaj - a man that Sarri knows well from his time at Napoli.
He was tipped to join Chelsea in the summer but a move never materialised, however, with the struggles their full backs have been having this season signing one that knows Sarri-ball is becoming all that more important.
Hysaj has been one of the best performing full backs in Europe this season and is able to play at both right ad left back slots, meaning his versatility gives Chelsea a lot of options and squad depth at the back.
A fee of €50m was being mooted about in January, and while no move ever happened getting in a player that can cover both positions would be a massive boost for the side should they avoid their transfer ban this summer.
Hysaj wanted to reunite with Sarri and should their transfer ban be deferred, this is definitely a move that the club should look to push through as quickly as possible.
The perfect striking option - Mauro Icardi
Chelsea need a permanent solution to their goal scoring problems and Inter Milan's Mauro Icardi could be the answer.
The 26-year-old has netted 15 goals this season for the San Siro outfit and his future is very much up in the air after being stripped of the captaincy while getting regularly left out of matchday squads.
The Blues had been linked with the striker recently with that position a major problem in Sarri's side.
They look to have fixed in somewhat with the arrival of Gonzalo Higuain, but he is only on loan from Juventus for the moment and should Icardi become available and Chelsea avoid a transfer ban, he could be preferred to his countryman.
He's five years younger than Higuain, meaning he represents better value for money and is someone that could stay at Stamford Bridge for a number of years, while Higuain has a shelf life that is close to expiring.
The realistic striking option - Gonzalo Higuain
But realistically, the striker that will most likely come to Chelsea in the summer is Higuain on a permanent deal.
They have him on loan at the moment but have an option to sign him from Juventus, something that will still hold despite the looming FIFA ban.
Despite being 31, he has played under Sarri before and likes working with the manager - Sarri turned him into one of Europe's deadliest strikers at Napoli when they were together there and he knows how the system works.
However, he's only scored twice since joining in January, both of those coming in a 5-0 win over Huddersfield Town at the start of February.
While Icardi might be the better striker in this day and age, the deal that is already in place for Higuain makes him a more realistic signing for the Blues.
The perfect centre back option - Kalidou Koulibaly
The 27-year-old is another of Sarri's former players having joined Napoli in 2014 and has become one of Europe's most coveted central defenders.
Koulibaly has over four years left on his deal at Napoli, meaning anyone that would like to buy the Senegal international will have to pay a pretty penny for his services.
He is good on the ball, strong in the air and has a sixth sense in anticipating and adapting to danger - all traits that would see him slot straight into Chelsea's central defence that isn't the strongest.
Koulibaly is a fan of Sarri too, speaking back when he was the manager of Napoli the defender told Il Messaggero: "He rediscovered me, he gave me confidence.
"He really is a genius, he sees things others don’t see. He makes you understand how football is and isn’t unpredictable. He’s a scholar. Any question you ask him, he always has an answer, and it’s always right. He helps you to think as a team and not as an individual.
"When he arrived he told me: ‘Do as I say and you’ll become an important player’. I’m trying, but I know I can still improve. In short, with Sarri football is maths."
A reunion between the two would be perfect.
The realistic centre back option - Daniele Rugani
While Koulibaly would be a sensational signing, Juventus' Daniele Rugani perhaps offers a more realistic target.
Chelsea tried for him last summer but he rejected the chance of a move to Stamford Bridge to fight for his place at the Allianz, but he's made just the 11 appearances for his side so far this season.
It's fair to say he isn's first choice and the chance to rejoin former manager Sarri, who coached him at Empoli, could prove to be a chance too good to turn around in the summer.
With Chelsea's problems at the back Rugani could well find himself as the main man in the back four, and at just 24 there is plenty of years to build him into the perfect central defender.
Barcelona have been linked with him in the past too, but with no deal on the table yet for Rugani the summer seems like a perfect time for him to head for pastures new.
The perfect central midfield option - Isco
Isco, still only 26, has fallen right out of favour at Real Madrid this season and could be on the move in the summer.
His fee would be massive, but with Mateo Kovacic looking unlikely to return to the Bridge next season there's space for someone in midfield, and if someone with Isco's abilities became available it would surely be worth looking at.
He has it all - calm on the ball, technically very good and has an eye for goal and his signing would certainly add something to the Chelsea midfield.
That said, he is of a similar ilk to Ross Barkley, meaning there might not be space for the pair of them at the club, but with the talent Isco has taking a chance on him would surely be a no-brainer for the Blues.
The realistic central midfield option - Nicolò Barella
Another former Chelsea target, Cagliari's Nicolò Barella would represent the more realistic summer signing in midfield for Chelsea were they to look to strengthen there.
Fabregas departed the club in January leaving the side short of options in midfieldn with Barella being one of the players Sarri wanted to bring in in order to add depth there.
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