Enzo Maresca says he has told Chelsea he wants to sign a new central defender to replace the injured Levi Colwill - but the club continues to seek an "internal solution".
England international Colwill has had surgery on an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury and is expected to miss most of the season.
The 22-year-old was a near ever-present for Chelsea last season in the Premier League, starting 35 of their 38 matches as they qualified for the Champions League.
When asked what he thought was the solution to replacing Colwill in his squad, Maresca said: "The club know exactly what I think.