Even if Chelsea had lost to West Ham on Monday night, as they threatened to for 25 minutes between conceding to Jarrod Bowen and equalising with Pedro Neto, the gap to 14th-placed Tottenham would have remained 13 points. It isn't a chasm that will be made up.

This is important not in the race for a Champions League place - Spurs are miles away from that and in no danger of mounting a serious challenge - but actually for a transfer Chelsea hope to complete in the summer. After a noisy but ultimately tangibly quiet January window, attention understandably turns immediately to four months down the line.

Even with Mathis Amougou on his way in and Trevoh Chalobah recalled, Mamadou Sarr is one of many who will join up later this year to be assessed as well, there has been very little change at Chelsea. Over £100million worth of players left on deadline day but it has hardly left a dent in the squad.

READ MORE: Chelsea handed new striker option as three bargains emerge after transfer deadline day

READ MORE: Chelsea's unexpected transfer deadline day windfall revealed as Enzo Maresca loses six players

Joao Felix's loan is the most high-profile but he has started three Premier League games. Axel Disasi to Aston Villa looks to strengthen a rival on paper but he had no real role under Enzo Maresca, especially not after Josh Acheampong was promoted into the senior team and reintergrated following a contract dispute.

Cesare Casadei's sale leaves a small hole to fill in the Conference League but nothing that cannot be taken on by Amougou or Cobham hopefuls such as Sam Rak-Sakyi. Carney Chukwuemeka has been even more peripheral. Taking Ben Chilwell into account and it would be nearly £200million in players let go this window alone.

Finishing 14th or above will ensure that one name is certain to be coming back, though. Jadon Sancho, who has immediately slotted in and become a regular under Maresca, has played more than Felix and Christopher Nkunku put together so far this season.

He once more started on the left wing at home to West Ham - although he was replaced shortly into the second half as Maresca wrung the changes to try and find a spark from somewhere. The 24-year-old has the fifth-most goal contributions of anyone in the squad and has played at least 200 minutes less than any of those above him.

Enzo Fernandez, three goals and four assists, has started five games more. With two goals and four assists for himself, Sancho has been the first-choice on almost every occasion, pushing Pedro Neto into a competition with Noni Madueke on the right more often than not.

It was Sancho who would have been most under threat from Mathys Tel or Alejandro Garnacho if either had joined. As it happens, he will remain a go-to on that side. Mykhailo Mudryk is still out with suspension after testing positive for having a banned substance in his system and 19-year-old Tyrique George is only just taking steps into being a first-team player.

Sancho is, on the face of it, only on loan at Stamford Bridge. When the club confirm their final position in the table of above 14th - which they almost certainly will - it will see that deal turn permanent.

Such simple stipulations suggest that it was always the intention from all parties. The cost is variable and will end up anywhere between £20million and £25million. Chelsea will then be able to announce the signing of Sancho once more.

For Maresca is changes very little and there are more players set to join up with his team over the summer who will have varying degrees of senior football to play in the next 18 months. After a window of bark rather than bite, tying down Sancho may well prove to be one of the most economical pieces of business out there.