Thomas Tuchel criticised for Raheem Sterling tactic and told Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang Chelsea solution

A new week begins and the search for a new number 9 continues at Chelsea.

Perhaps, this search may be ramped up even more over the forthcoming days, especially considering the deficiencies exposed in the latest Premier League fixture against Leeds United. The Blues' reliance on new signing Raheem Sterling to produce the goods week in, week out is a sign that forwards and attackers like Kai Havertz, Hakim Ziyech, Christian Pulisic and others are not doing enough when given the chance to shine.

"No, no," Thomas Tuchel responded in his post-match press conference when asked if a lack of a proper number 9 was the issue this weekend. Despite this admission, Tuchel and Todd Boehly now have time to rectify this glaring issue alongside others in the midfield and defence.

Alan Shearer slams Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy for Leeds Premier League 'howler'

"I don't know. We need to wait. The transfer period is still open. It gets later and later, and we need to focus on what we have and what we can do," Tuchel said in relation to the current state of the transfer window. "We can obviously play at a high level, but we lost track when there was no need. We were not forced to lose track. Everything was going well. We can win with this team in Leeds, everything was going well, and we had goalscoring opportunities. It went the other way, and I think it was more our fault than anyone else's credit."

Up top, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Ivan Toney seem the two most likely signings that could be attainable at the right price with the former of the pair the current focus.

understands that Chelsea are 'very confident' of agreeing to a fee with Barcelona totalling around the £22million mark. This is £4m short of Barca's valuation. So far,