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Arsenal's season was over last month. Liverpool were done early as well. Neither have anything to play for this weekend. Both have been quick off the mark in the transfer window.

It is a correlation that they have embarked upon early and ambitious business in the market but there is logic as well. Their positions in the Champions League were assured (or never in real doubt, if you're Arsenal) and so pitching moves is easier.

Chelsea, on the other hand, have their attention elsewhere.

Win both matches to round out the season and he will have a top five finish as well as a European trophy. Lose both and he could end up with nothing.

That will not change the club's stance over entering next season with him on board but it will impact the standing he has with supporters. The jury is still out. The verdict is yet to be passed.

That could get Chelsea into the Champions League. It brings with it prestige, tangible evidence of progress, and a reward to supporters who are still frustrated with Maresca and/or the owners.

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There is an immediate £15million qualification fee for just entering the league phase, as well. Getting into the knockout stages is worth an extra £9.4million. That is almost £25million.

Reach the quarter-finals and that becomes nearly £40million. The semi-finals raise the prize money to £55million. Getting to the final is another £17million and winning it is at least £5million extra on top. In total it is £80million without even thinking of the bonuses for winning in the league phase.

So, just finishing fifth, alone, is more lucrative than winning the Conference League. In fact, it is almost twice as good for the accounts.

but if they already have Champions League football then it would be partially excusable. That is still the knife edge that Chelsea are on.

It is the reason that transfer talk has not yet become the main source of discussion at Stamford Bridge. Whilst it is certain that work has begun long before now, most fans are waiting for the season to end before turning their attention to the summer window.

Not only will it impact who is actually available but it is hard to look beyond the Forest game and how important it is. This is, with no exaggeration, the biggest individual match for Chelsea in years. They have not been on the brink of Champions League football with one game to go since the 2020/21 season.

Regardless of the outcome, when events at the City Ground finish, it will be over to transfers and the co-sporting directors to lead Chelsea on. Huge questions over the squad make-up remain with a centre-back, striker, and winger all needed.

Lots has been said about Liam Delap's preference and the factor of European football on deciding his future. Meanwhile,

Hugo Ekitike and Benjamin Sesko are higher up on the shortlist, football.london understands, with Delap in the mix. Osimhen is the one with a big season in a major league, though,

It was his demands which saw a loan move at the end of last summer fall flat. The same is likely to block Chelsea from matching the Nigerian again here.

With Champions League football, though, That is a shift in dynamic which could define Chelsea's summer.

One way or another, transfer season is coming for Chelsea. They have had to wait longer than a few of their rivals to get to this point but it will be just as vital nonetheless.