If they can avoid a slow start after their exertions in the United States and little time to rest following the 2024-25 season, Chelsea can use that familiarity to take advantage of a fairly open title race and steal a march in the opening months, setting themselves up nicely for the campaign to come.

The collapsed move for Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White was a setback, while the long-term injury to James Maddison hits hard, but Joao Palhinha - signed on loan from Bayern Munich - proved his Premier League quality at Fulham and Mohammed Kudus could provide a new 'X-factor' in attack.

Slot has consistently spoken about winning titles since he arrived last year, and he will maintain those standards, as will the experienced players in the squad including Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah.