Chelsea are battling to prise Filippo Galli away from AC Milan.
The Times says Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti is likely to have to begin work at Chelsea without his trusted No 2, Galli.
The 46-year-old has been offered a pay rise to stay at Milan and is expected to accept it and continue working under the club's new coach, Leonardo.
Ancelotti is still exploring the possibility of bringing Bruno Di Michele, a sports psychologist, to Chelsea.