With much of the focus still remaining on the World Cup, certain deals in the transfer window are largely passing without fanfare.

In just over a week's time, the FIFA showpiece will reach its conclusion, of course, and then it will be full steam ahead for those clubs around Europe who wish to replenish their squads ahead of the kick-off of the 2026/27 campaign.

No European football could help Chelsea

Xabi Alonso certainly has his work cut out at Chelsea, given the relative failure of the squad last season and their inability to earn a place in any of the UEFA competitions.

Ironically, that might actually work in their favour across the course of the season, if they're able to keep the core of their squad together.

With no continental assignments to distract them from their domestic responsibilities, not only will they be fresher than many of their opponents for the weekend Premier League games, but injuries shouldn't necessarily be a problem either.

If Alonso can hit the ground running in his new role, then there's no reason why the Blues can't be one of those teams that set the pace next season.

It is clear, however, that certain areas of the squad need to be addressed for that to happen.

Liam Delap has been an abject failure

In terms of their striking options, Liam Delap's transfer from Ipswich can best be described as an abject failure.

A player who really impressed for Kieran McKenna's side, he managed only two goals and three assists in his 41 appearances across all competitions in his debut campaign at Stamford Bridge.

Cole Palmer's injury record and loss of form certainly weren't timely either, with only Joao Pedro delivering anything like an acceptable level of performance across the 2025/26 campaign.

It's perhaps with that in mind that Chelsea are believed to be ready to make a move for Dusan Vlahovic, after the Serbian became a free agent because of not being able to agree terms on a new deal with Juventus.

Free-agent Vlahovic could be perfect replacement

As a like-for-like replacement for Delap, it would be hard to find a more suitable fit, as the way in which Vlahovic plays the game, off the shoulder of the last defender, and using his physical prowess to dominate the attacking areas, is a mirror of the former Ipswich man.

Or at least he is when compared to Delap's successful season at Portman Road.

Still only 26, the striker's signing could represent a real coup for the West Londoners if he were to recapture the goalscoring form he had before injuries put paid to a successful season for him personally in 25/26.

Though no formal negotiations have taken place as yet, and reports suggest that, in fact, Vlahovic appears to be holding out for a move to Barcelona, Chelsea can get ahead of any other potential purchasers by putting their cards on the table as soon as practicable.

Injuries notwithstanding, what would the Premier League outfit be getting for their spend if they were able to persuade the striker that Stamford Bridge and not Camp Nou is the best place to continue his footballing education?

Most goals and most shots

Since signing for Juventus in 2021, Vlahovic has plundered 50 goals in Serie A, as well as providing 12 assists. If we factor in other competitions, we can add another 18 goals and four assists to the total.

Clearly, then, he's a striker that knows where the goal is... something that Delap appears to have forgotten.

Aside from scoring at least 40 more goals than any of his Juventus colleagues since signing for the club, Vlahovic has also hit the woodwork on another 11 occasions.

415 total shots taken is 193 more than Kenan Yildiz, who is second in that particular metric; however, both Vlahovic's shot conversion (16.24%) and shooting accuracy (49.7%) are behind other members of the squad, suggesting that there's work to do if he wants to ensure an elite-level output.

Pass completion needs work

163 shots on target is again almost double anyone else, and 39 big chances scored have Vlahovic way out in front in this regard (second-placed Weston McKennie has 14).

As might be expected from someone of his stature, he contested 428 aerial duels and 1,079 one-on-one ground duels whilst with the Bianconeri, with a reasonable 37.72% success rate for the latter.

One area that has consistently let him down is his pass completion in the final third, which is the lowest in the squad with just 62.09% success.

For a team such as Chelsea, that are going to be relying on fast breaks thanks to quick, purposeful deliveries, that's nowhere near good enough.

However, more generally, this metric rises to 71.49%, which, whilst still the worst of any Juve player, is a vast improvement.

With 104 chances created for his teammates to his name, too, Vlahovic's presence of mind as well as physical presence can clearly be an asset.

No transfer fee to pay either still makes his signing an attractive proposition for Chelsea at this point in time.