Thomas Tuchel was ready to break the bank for PSG star Marquinhos in the summer transfer window but was left disappointed when both the player and the club rejected the deal.
Though it could turn out to be a blessing in disguise; Chelsea have conceded just one league goal so far this campaign and currently sit top of the Premier League table.
The German boss has received stark praise for the Blues' defensive discipline with all of the back three given plaudits in the 3-0 hammering of rivals Tottenham.
But the feared backline of Christensen, Silva and Rudiger could have been split up if Tuchel had gotten his way and landed a sensational bid for Brazilian defender Marquinhos.
The 27-year-old has previously played under Tuchel when the German was manager of PSG, guiding the French club to the Champions League final in 2020 before going one better with his current club last season.
French outlet RMC allege Chelsea were willing to fork out £85 million to reunite Marquinhos with compatriot and former PSG captain Thiago Silva but both the player and the Parisian club rejected the proposal.
The move would have matched Harry Maguire's transfer from Leicester City to Manchester United as the most expensive deal ever for a defender.
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Yet Marquinhos was certain he wanted to stay put in Paris having been convinced by Mauricio Pochettino's summer recruitment.
The Ligue 1 runners-up managed the sensational capture of Lionel Messi after Barcelona were unable to register the six-time Ballon d'Or winner in time for the start of the new season.
Elsewhere Sergio Ramos, Gianluigi Donnarumma and Gini Wijnaldum joined on free transfers for a full squad overhaul.
Chelsea were also linked with a move for Sevilla defender Jules Kounde with defensive additions high on the priority list for Tuchel.
Yet the Blues only brought in three signings: Romelu Lukaku, Saul Niguez and Marcus Bettenelli; none of them occupying the desired role of centre-back.
That hasn't seemed to deter Chelsea or Tuchel with form and confidence sky high ahead of Saturday's crunch match with title-favourites Manchester City.
