Chelsea have been given a two transfer window ban by FIFA for breaching the rules around the transfer of minors — and it could mean an increased reliance on some 41 players currently out on loan.
The Blues splashed out £58million for Christian Pulisic back in January, but farmed him back out to Borussia Dortmund for the remainder of the season, meaning his arrival in the summer is not in doubt.
But while some players might have thought their Stamford Bridge careers were over, the news of Chelsea's transfer ban might be their glimmer of hope.
Christian Pulisic will arrive in the summer despite Chelsea being handed a transfer ban
As has become an annual custom, last summer Chelsea sent out a small army of youth-team and fringe first-team players on loan for the season ahead.
No fewer than 41 surplus players have now passed out of the Stamford Bridge revolving door to destinations as diverse as Yeovil Town and Lleida Esportiu in order to gain experience or find first-team football.
The players shipped out range from pricey acquisitions to young stars and even those who are relatively unknown.
Among them is Michy Batshuayi, the Belgian striker who is spending the rest of the season at Crystal Palace following a stint at Valencia earlier in the campaign. He scored nine goals in 14 matches at Borussia Dortmund in the second half of last season before injury struck. He followed that up with three goals in 23 appearances at the Mestalla but is yet to open his account for Palace.
Tiemoue Bakayoko is another expensive purchase to have been cast aside. The unimpressive France midfielder, who somehow played 43 games for Chelsea last season despite poor form, made way for Mateo Kovacic by joining Italy's fallen giants AC Milan.
Michy Batshuayi is spending the rest of the season at Crystal Palace but is struggling for form
Tiemoue Bakayoko somehow played 43 games for Chelsea last season but is now at AC Milan
Chelsea had high hopes for Kenedy and has shown glimpses of his potential at Newcastle
They have the option to make the deal permanent for just under £30m next summer if he manages to find some form. Chelsea only signed him in 2017 - for a princely £40m - and he's already on the scrapheap.
Kurt Zouma, currently on loan for the season at Everton, suffered Premier League relegation with Stoke last year. It's been a curious fall from grace for Zouma, who was favoured by Jose Mourinho but quickly fell out of favour under Antonio Conte and his reputation has taken a hefty dent.
Another player who was tipped to be a success at Stamford Bridge is Kenedy, but after falling by the wayside under Conte, he was sent out on loan to Watford and, most recently, Newcastle, where he has shown glimpses of what his potential promised.
While Chelsea are keen to ship out their unwanted first-team stars, they also have a penchant for sending youngsters off to develop, but often stagnate, elsewhere.
Of the 41 players Chelsea currently have out on loan, 19 are English nationals at lower league clubs. Forward Mason Mount, currently on loan at
