Let’s face it — Chelsea have a reputation for stacking up players like trading cards. With a roster already packed with goalkeepers, the West London club is still eyeing AC Milan’s Mike Maignan. But behind the scenes, new head coach Enzo Maresca is far more concerned with a different area of the pitch — the wings.

This summer, Chelsea find themselves unexpectedly short of options out wide. The club has failed to secure a permanent deal for Jadon Sancho following his loan spell from Manchester United, and more worryingly, Mykhailo Mudryk is currently sidelined due to a reported suspension linked to a positive test for a banned substance — a situation that could drag on and further complicate squad planning.

As it stands, Maresca only has three recognised wingers at his disposal: Noni Madueke, Pedro Neto, and academy talent Tyrique George. For a club with top-four ambitions and European competition on the horizon, that’s a threadbare situation.

Insiders suggest that wing reinforcements are now a top priority for the new boss, who is expected to push hard in the transfer market to add at least one, if not two, wide players before the start of the new campaign.