Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has suggested that the club currently have no intention of breaking their current approach in the transfer market to replace Nicolas Jackson.
Earlier this week, it was confirmed that the Senegal international would be sidelined until after the March international break with a hamstring injury.
At a time when Marc Guiu is also in the treatment room for at least several weeks, Maresca has been left with Christopher Nkunku as his solitary senior striker.
The Italian has suggested that the France international is not the only alternative to take the place of Jackson, insisting that other solutions are being considered.
Nevertheless, it appears that neither Maresca or Chelsea's board are prepared to look elsewhere for a new attacker.
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What is Washington status?
For a number of weeks, Deivid Washington - who has not played for the first team this season - has been linked with a return to Brazilian football with Santos.
With Washington currently representing Brazil at the South American Under-20 Championship, that proposed loan switch is yet to go through.
Despite still having the chance to integrate the 19-year-old into his senior squad, Maresca has seemingly ruled out the prospect of Washington representing Chelsea this season.
In response to a question at a press conference, as quoted by the Daily Mail's Kieran Gill, Maresca said: "No. He is in talks".
Maresca was also asked whether Chelsea would consider entering the free-agent market, an option that Mikel Arteta is exploring given Arsenal's issues in the final third.
However, he added: "No, no, no. We are focused on finding solutions with the ones that we have."
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A closed business model?
Many Chelsea supporters felt during the winter transfer window that another striker should have been targeted at the same time that Andrey Santos should have been recalled from Strasbourg.
Failure to do either, as well as allow Joao Felix to leave for AC Milan, has left the Blues short in central midfield and down the middle of their attack.
Providing an opportunity to Washington, who has plenty of minutes under his belt with his country since the start of the year, appears like a logical step to take.
Instead, Chelsea seemingly have no desire to change their plan, keeping faith with their business model and how they wish to develop players.
Only time will tell whether that is the right move in this scenario, but the club's fans have reason to be concerned if Maresca and the board are not prepared to be adaptable when required.
Darren Plant
