Chelsea were plunged into chaos on Friday when they were handed a two transfer window ban by FIFA for breaching rules around the transfer of minors.
They will not be able to register new players for the next two transfer windows — the coming summer window and next January.
The ban is likely to have significant repercussions for Chelsea's transfer plans, and the future of key players such as Eden Hazard.
Hazard has been desperate to join Real Madrid but may now be left with no choice but to stay at Stamford Bridge with the Blues unable to bring in a replacement.
He now appears destined to leave on a free transfer in 2020, with no sign that a new deal is in sight.
Up front Chelsea face having to bring back at least one on loan striker.
They will not be able to take up the option to make Gonzalo Higuain's loan deal permanent and face losing Olivier Giroud with his contract up this summer.
That could hand lifelines to much-maligned pair Alvaro Morata and Michy Batshuayi.
Atletico Madrid are likely to exercise their right to buy Morata outright, giving Batshuayi an unexpected second chance at Stamford Bridge.
Tammy Abraham had appeared set for a loan to Wolves in January after a successful spell at Aston Villa.
He may now find himself auditioning for that sole striker spot in Chelsea's starting lineup between now and the end of the season.
There is a mini crisis for Chelsea in goal, with back-ups to No 1 Kepa - Willy Caballero and Rob Green - out of contract this summer.
At 37 Caballero is a spring chicken next to 39-year-old Rob Green and appears likely to earn another deal.
In defence Cesar Azpilicueta remains a mainstay. Emerson Palmieri may now earn a regular chance at left-back.
The 24-year-old has only made 16 appearances since joining 13 months ago but may present a more viable option than the declining Marcos Alonso.
In midfield Jorginho faces an uncertain future should Maurizio Sarri leave before the end of the season, as expected.
That presents an opportunity for Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who has been starved of first-team minutes under the Italian. N'Golo Kante would return in his natural central position.
And Chelsea could go with a new-look three behind the main man Batshuayi with Hazard operating in the centre, flanked by Christian Pulisic and Callum Hudson-Odoi.
The purchase of Pulisic ahead of the summer window looks shrewder now, while it denies Hudson-Odoi the move to Bayern Munich he has so craved.
There is a feeling that the 18-year-old would be handed more first-team chances under a different manager.
In reserve, Ethan Ampadu will find himself higher up the pecking order but often on the bench.
A number of loan players are likely to return, even Tiemoue Bakayoko, despite preferring to stay at AC Milan. Mason Mount will have gained much from his spell at Derby this year, and Kurt Zouma will boost the numbers despite two years away.
Teenage full-back Reece James, on loan at Wigan, could be given the opportunity to stake his claim too.
Despite the ban, Chelsea still have plenty of options thanks to the wealth of players out on loan.
