Chelsea have stolen a march on their rivals in the race to sign Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth. The 19-year-old has enjoyed a stunning breakthrough season with the south coast club and is already regarded as one of Europe’s most highly-rated young defenders.

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?

Matt Law dropped an in depth look at Chelsea’s interest in Dean Huijsen yesterday for the Daily Telegraph, with plenty of insight on the progression of the deal and on why Enzo Maresca and the club