With Chelsea directors Petr Cech and Marina Granovskaia departing the club, Chelsea owner Todd Boehly had assumed the role of sporting director on a temporal basis.

Boehly has found out first hand that signing quality players doesn’t come too easy – connections, skill and contacts are very needed in this job.

Deals for Raphinha, Ousmane Dembele and Jules Kounde ought to have been in the bag, but it seems that all three players will end up with Barcelona.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta recently boasted that Barcelona are ready to beat Chelsea in the race to sign Sevilla defender Jules Kounde and also Leeds winger Raphinha.

When asked about a potential deal for Kounde, Laporta told COPE: “Talk to Mateu [Alemany, Barca’s director of football] about this. We have many in the pipeline.

“We think we will activate the second lever next week.

“When we have this there are a number of players who want to come and we are interested in them.”

Laporta also shrugged off Chelsea’s interest in Raphinha, as he admitted that the Brazilian is waiting on a move to Barca, despite Chelsea already agreeing a £55m fee with Leeds this week.

“We’ve spoken to Leeds, I don’t think they will be offended. We have communication and we have spoken personally,” Laporta said.

“What happens is that there are other clubs that want Raphinha and are making their proposals. He wants to come.”

Missing Raphinha would definitely be a big blow for the Blues, as the Brazilian would have added something different to Chelsea’s attack.

For now, Chelsea are playing catch up in the transfer market, while Todd Boehly learn the ropes.