The problem is the lack of aligned thinking and the clear lack of structure to how they're recruiting - they have clear needs in specific areas and have only addressed them to an extent, whilst struggling to move on players in those positions who are no longer wanted, who themselves cost large fees to begin with. Werner, Lukaku and Ziyech was a front three costing £200m, yet two remain with few suitors and one is out on loan with about 5% of his transfer fee having been recouped. They've signed one CB and seem to be flitting from target to target looking for others, with no thought to how they play structurally speaking - attempts to get Kounde and Kimpembe seemed odd seeing as they profile so, so much like Koulibaly and even play in the exact same spot. Playing them in a three wouldn't work because they replicate each other's strengths whilst offering no variety or coverage of shared weaknesses.
Then they've allocated good chunks of budget to players you can't understand where they fit in such as Chukwuemeka. Then even players who make *some* semblance of sense - like Cucurella if Alonso is leaving - are being brought into positions where they already have expensive, quality players (albeit injury prone - Chilwell), but at massive cost. The actual spending profile of the way they've allocated limited resources (don't be fooled) is atrocious. They still need midfield reinforcement, a proper striker and maybe two more centre halves, but none of this is seemingly being prioritised. Well, it certainly isn't when they're bringing in wingers and full backs in positions they're stocked in.
It reeks of them having a list of players they like, that they know are linked to other successful clubs, such as Kounde, Cucurella etc.