Then there is Alfie Gilchrist, the 19-year-old centre-back wanted by newly-promoted Sheffield United on loan. Gilchrist can play in a back three or a four, and his versatility could be useful if Chelsea do suffer from another crippling injury crisis this season.
He joined the club’s pre-season tour of the USA and has featured in matchday squads, suggesting he could have a future. However, Gilchrist was not given any minutes in either of Chelsea’s two pre-season games so far.
That could change, however, with the absence of Fofana and Badiashile now confirmed as Pochettino may not want to risk the likes of Silva and Chalobah in getting injured.
In any case, the Blues boss has shown a tendency to trust the youth already at the club. And that could serve him well in saving him a huge amount of money if he decides to keep one of Humphreys or Gilchrist in the first-team squad.