Chelsea face transfer conundrum as latest signing sees midfielders rise to ten

Since the Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital takeover three years ago, the Blues have welcomed 39 permanent signings through the doors.

Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo have been their two biggest arrivals with respective £106.8million and £100million transfers.

The South American duo are Chelsea's go-to pairing in midfield, but that hasn't limited their purchases in that position on the pitch.

Romeo Lavia and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall remain options for manager Enzo Maresca, with Mathis Amougou their only winter signing.

Chelsea also have stars out on loan this season, and talkSPORT understands they have agreed to sign Sporting Lisbon wonderkid Dario Essugo as part of a deal which will see teammate Geovany Quenda join the Blues.

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They could have as many as ten midfielders on the books once the summer arrives, and talkSPORT.com has looked at the potential plans for each.

Current stars

Fernandez and Caicedo, barring an incredible turn of events, look set to remain as their key assets in the midfield.

Both of their contracts run until at least 2031 and with a combined 52 Premier League starts this season, it's clear Maresca trusts them.

Ankle and hamstring injuries limited Lavia to just one appearance for Chelsea last season but his fitness has improved since.

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Although he has just returned from another hamstring issue, the 21-year-old is a fellow talent hopeful of a long-term future at the club.

Dewsbury-Hall thrived under Maresca at Leicester City and followed him to Chelsea last summer in a £30million transfer.

However, it hasn't worked out for him as he has made just one start in the Premier League since completing his move to Stamford Bridge.

West Ham were interested in signing him in January and an exit could be a possibility again this summer, whether on loan or permanently.

French youngster Amougou signed from Saint-Etienne last month in a move reportedly worth around £12.6million.

He made his debut in their 4-0 win over Southampton but as per the BBC, a loan move to sister club Strasbourg next season looks likely.

Out on loan

Chelsea have seen the benefit of sending young talent out on loan to Strasbourg, with Andrey Santos having an excellent campaign there.

The 20-year-old has scored eight goals in 24 Ligue 1 appearances and looks set for a first-team squad role at his parent club next season.

Carney Chukwuemeka was a bright spark for the Blues last year but has found himself out of favour under Maresca.

He featured only five times before a February loan move to Borussia Dortmund, who have the option to make his switch permanent.

Southampton have Lesley Ugochukwu until the end of the season, a player who has already played 12 times for Chelsea.

The Frenchman has made ten league starts for the Saints and may move on loan elsewhere for more experience in the summer.

Future prospects

Essugo looks set to become the latest starlet to join the Chelsea project with a move from Sporting.

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The 20-year-old is currently on loan at LaLiga side Las Palmas but is on course for a switch to London ahead of next season.

As reported by The Athletic, Chelsea plan to have Portugal U21 star Essugo as cover for Caicedo.

Kendry Paez will join the Blues this summer from Independiente del Valle after a stunning rise in Ecuadorian football.

He has already made 17 senior appearances for his country at the age of 17, scoring two goals.

Paez will also arrive as a deputy option as per The Athletic, this time deeper in midfield for Fernandez despite being more attacking.

Chelsea have more midfielders in their ranks such as Omari Kellyman, who has only played for the U21s and announced on Tuesday he's out for the rest of the season due to a hamstring injury.

Cobham academy product Leo Castledine is on loan at Shrewsbury Town, with Alex Matos spending the season at Oxford United.

Joao Felix joined AC Milan but plays more as a forward, whilst Renato Veiga is at Juventus and primarily plays in defence.

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The summer could therefore see another window with plenty of outgoings at Chelsea, with incomings surely set for other positions.

Maresca will have many options at his disposal in midfield for pre-season before the number whittles down for the new campaign.