The signing of a central defender depends on exits and the club have to fund the purchase of a striker and a right-footed winger too. There are two questions to answer on the issue: why Chelsea are pursuing another player in this position at all and what are the ramifications for those centre-backs at the club?

Chelsea transfer news as Dean Huijsen chase leaves questions of the plan for Josh Acheampong with £50million on the line

However, Maresca believes progress has been made and accused external figures of failing to recognise it. "Compared with the last two years, it's quite clear there is an improvement," he added. "If you want to see it, you see it. If you don't want to see it, you don't see it. Depends which way [you look]. I see it.

Enzo Maresca will take charge of his 50th game as Chelsea manager when the Blues host Everton in a crunch top-five six-pointer at Stamford Bridge.Speaking in his pre-match press conference earlier