Having earned a reputation for taking unnecessary risks and making costly mistakes during his first three-year spell at Chelsea, Luiz does not appear to fit Conte’s criteria for a central defender. But the Brazilian gives Conte the option to switch to three at the back and, crucially, can carry the ball out of defence – something Chelsea have missed ever since his departure.

Alonso is an attacking full-back who could operate as a left wing-back and allow César Azpilcueta to move to the right, which also points towards a long-term shift to a back three.

Conte now has cover in the full-back and central-defensive positions, having started the season with just four fit senior defenders. Kurt Zouma is also set to return from injury in the next month.

In a market in which they were quoted £60 million for Koulibaly and £75 million for striker Romelu Lukaku, Chelsea believe Luiz represents good value as he is an international who has played at the top level in Europe for five years and has experience of the Premier League.