Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has described Ghana defender Baba Rahman as an important signing.
The left back who has signed for the English champions from German Bundesilga side Augsburg has replaced Atletico Madrid returnee Filipe Luis.
"It’s important because he’s a left-back and he can compete with Azpilicueta," Mourinho said. "At the same time, Azpi can also compete with Ivanovic for the right-back position.
"This player replaces Filipe Luis in terms of the balance of the squad.
"Hopefully next week he will be ready."
Rahman moves to Chelsea after successful spell at season in the German top-flight where he made 31 appearances.
He was first choice left back for Ghana at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea where the Black Stars missed out on the trophy on penalties to Ivory Coast.