Estevao Willian
Estevao Willian could face a difficult challenge in getting Premier League minutes for Chelsea this season(Image: Harvey Murphy/News Images/NurPhoto)
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Another hectic summer transfer window is now behind us and for Chelsea, it was a period with wholesale changes.
The Blues added 10 first-team players across the course of the window, with Stamford Bridge insiders telling football.london there was an unwavering focus on bringing quality, experience and tactical flexibility to Xabi Alonso's squad.
In doing that, Chelsea made an approximate £328million investment on incomings in west London. Going the other way, the Blues generated approximately £519m in player sales and loan fees during the transfer window, according to sources in the club.
While there was disappointment with how it ended regarding the crazy Lamine Camara saga, Chelsea are thrilled with what they achieved over the summer and the squad Alonso has at his disposal for the remainder of his debut season at Stamford Bridge.
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With that being said, football.london takes a look at the options Alonso has and the depth to help him over the course of the campaign.
Goalkeepers: Emiliano Martinez, Mike Penders, Teddy Sharman-Lowe
Alonso made the decision to make a big change late in the summer transfer window. After Robert Sanchez's mistake(s) in the win over Fulham last month, Chelsea were offered the opportunity to sign Emiliano Martinez from Aston Villa.
It was all done fairly quickly and Martinez was thrown straight into the deep end, starting 48 hours after his arrival in the 4-3 win over Brighton. While Martinez conceded three goals on his debut, the Argentina international goalkeeper quietly impressed.
Mike Penders should be given chances in the cup competitions, while Teddy Sharman-Lowe and Gabriel Slonina will be fighting it out for the third goalkeeper slot.
Emi Martinez
Emi Martinez could be a vital player for Chelsea this season(Image: Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
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Defenders: Malo Gusto, Reece James, Marco Palestra, Josh Acheampong, Maxence Lacroix, Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana, Aaron Anselmino, Jorrel Hato, Pep Chavarria
Alonso told reporters during Chelsea's pre-season tour of Sydney that he wanted, ideally, "four or five" centre-back options in his squad. The exits of Benoit Badiashile (loan), Tosin Adarabioyo, Axel Disasi (loan) and Mamadou Sarr (loan) mean Alonso now has six options in the middle of defence.
Two of them are Jorrel Hato and Josh Acheampong, who can both play as full-backs. One of them is Aaron Anselmino, whose only likely route into the first-team picture this season will be in the cup competitions.
At right-back/right wing-back, Chelsea are well stocked. Reece James is expected to play a leading role in midfield this season, according to club sources, but there is a chance we could see the captain in defence. Either as a right-sided centre-back if Alonso uses a three-back, or even on the right side of a back four.
Malo Gusto can either play as a full-back/wing-back/midfielder. On Sunday, we saw Gusto in midfield, so he is certainly an option for Alonso there. Marco Palestra looks to have the perfect skillset for either wing-back role. New signing Pep Chavarria will be used solely on the left side.
Pep Chavarria
Pep Chavarria impressed for Chelsea in their win over Luton Town(Image: Harvey Murphy/News Images/NurPhoto)
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Midfielders: Reece James, Malo Gusto, Moises Caicedo, Romeo Lavia, Valentin Barco, Jordan Henderson
After the departure of Enzo Fernandez, some supporters are worried Alonso has been left a bit short of midfield options. Chelsea sources are less concerned, even after missing out on Lamine Camara.
James and Gusto are both able to play in the middle, and that does ease the pressure on Alonso's natural midfield options.
Jordan Henderson was brought in to help create a winning culture behind the scenes. The former Liverpool captain has virtually done it all in club football and at 36 years old, he is a wise head in the squad.
Jordan Henderson signs for Chelsea
Jordan Henderson has signed for Chelsea(Image: Chris Lee - Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC)
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There was a deliberate focus from Chelsea chiefs on the make-up of the squad this time around, not just focused on its quality. Players like Henderson are seen as 'standard-setters' and the Chelsea hierarchy believe the balance of the dressing room has improved significantly since the start of the summer transfer window.
Chelsea, though, believe Henderson can more than play his part on the pitch this season once he returns from his arm injury.
Valentin Barco has impressed in his two appearances for the Blues since signing from sister side Strasbourg in the summer. Alonso is keen not to apply too much pressure, though, on the 22-year-old Argentina international during his debut season in the Premier League.
Chelsea will be hoping to keep Romeo Lavia available for as long as possible but that will require extra attention and care on his fitness. The Belgian, who has had a torrid time with consistent injury problems throughout his time at Stamford Bridge, has started the season well under Alonso.
Romeo Lavia celebrates
Romeo Lavia celebrates with his Chelsea teammates after scoring against Brighton(Image: Mike Hewitt)
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Attackers: Morgan Rogers, Cole Palmer, Jamie Gittens, Estevao Willian, Pedro Neto, Geovany Quenda, Emmanuel Emegha, Danny Welbeck, Joao Pedro
Chelsea's attacking options look a lot stronger than last season. The front trio of Morgan Rogers, Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro could be considered as good as anything in the top-flight.
One would expect them three to be in the line-up, if available, for the majority of Premier League fixtures this term.
In Pedro Neto, Alonso has a versatile option who has started well under him. Neto's skillset seems to be perfect for the right wing-back role, but the Portugal international will surely prefer being used further up the pitch.
Pedro Neto celebrates
Pedro Neto celebrates scoring for Chelsea against Brighton(Image: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC)
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It will be interesting to see what sort of minutes Geovany Quenda gets in his debut season at Stamford Bridge. The Portuguese winger was used late on from the bench in Chelsea's season opener against Fulham but has not been included in the squad for the resulting two matches. A source close to Quenda said the winger is not carrying an injury and it was ultimately a decision made by Alonso.
There have been some reports from Brazil recently claiming Estevao Willian is not happy with his role at Chelsea in the early days under Alonso. The 19-year-old seems to be second choice on the right-hand side, with the in-form Palmer hogging the minutes in the opening stages of the season.
Chelsea blocked enquiries from abroad for winger Jamie Gittens, with Alonso wanting to use the 22-year-old this season. Similarly to Estevao, Gittens is unlikely to be handed too many starts in the Premier League, with club-record signing Rogers expected to be Alonso's go-to man on the left side of the attack.
Morgan Rogers celebrates
Morgan Rogers celebrates scoring for Chelsea against Fulham(Image: Catherine Ivill - AMA)
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Up front, Chelsea have three central strikers to choose from. Joao Pedro will be Alonso's first-choice option throughout the season unless something drastic happens. In Danny Welbeck, there is an experienced alternative who is still capable of scoring Premier League goals at the age of 35.
Meanwhile, there are high hopes for Emmanuel Emegha but the Dutchman's start to life in west London has been heavily impacted by a hamstring injury.
Ultimately, Chelsea chiefs see the summer window as a success - but only time will tell if there is truth to that. The abundance of player sales was to help reinvest in the squad and hopefully build a winning culture and team at Stamford Bridge. There is an acceptance from Blues insiders that there is more work to be done on that front but they are delighted with the start they have made.