Chelsea enjoyed some notable growth last season, qualifying for the Champions League and winning two major trophies: the Conference League and the Club World Cup.
It's premature to suggest that Enzo Maresca's Blues stand a chance of winning the Premier League, but they will certainly hope to challenge the division's elite for a place at the very summit of the table, and have made some exciting signings to help them achieve that goal.
Chelsea MARESCA
However, the Londoners still hope to seal a few more deals before the end of the transfer window, especially with sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley cashing in on several unwanted first-teamers.
Chelsea eyeing more attacking signings
Chelsea have sold a number of players this summer, but the most high-profile of which may turn out to be Nicolas Jackson, who is exploring his options following the signings of Joao Pedro and Liam Delap.
Newcastle United are growing in confidence that they will sign the Senegalese, who is prioritising a potential move to St. James' Park.
Chelsea don't really need to sign another number nine; they've covered that base. However, according to the Daily Mail, the focus is now on signing left-sided forward Alejandro Garnacho, who is determined to leave Manchester United and sign for the Blues, his only choice, this month.
Chelsea-Garnacho
The Argentina international, who is still only 20, is available for £50m, some distance south of the Red Devils' initial £70m valuation.
Why Chelsea want Alejandro Garnacho
Chelsea have done their homework on Garnacho and have no concerns relating to his character. The electric-paced winger fell out of favour with Ruben Amorim at Old Trafford last season, and appeared to reach boiling point after being benched for their Europa League final defeat against Tottenham Hotspur.
alejandro-garnacho-man-united-premier-league
Chelsea have the likes of Jamie Gittens and Pedro Neto in their ranks, but Garnacho would ensure that Maresca has enough talent on the left flank, thus sparking a one-out, one-in situation with Jackson that would actually work to the benefit of the larger squad, making him an upgrade on the departing Senegalese striker.
Jackson, 24, has been at Chelsea for two seasons but has ebbed and flowed in front of goal, bearing all the physicality and movement to succeed in the Premier League but missing 43 big chances across his two top-flight campaigns, via Sofascore, scoring only 24 goals.
Garnacho - Man Utd Stats by Season (all comps)
Apps (starts)
24/25: 58 (36)
23/24: 50 (41)
22/23: 34 (11)
21/22: 2 (0)
Data via Transfermarkt
It's important to remember that Garnacho, who has been described as a "seriously special" talent by journalist Liam Canning, has been cutting his teeth as a professional throughout a tumultuous point in Man United's history. Even so, he's demonstrated his prolific potential.
And if there were any doubts regarding his technical ability, just hark back to the wonder-goal the teenager scored against Everton during the 2023/24 season.
Garnacho, moreover, ranks among the top 5% of positional peers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for progressive carries and touches in the attacking box per 90, via FBref, emphasising both his pace and directness.
A carry is considered progressive if the ball is moved towards the opponent's goal at least 10 yards from its starting point or is carried into the penalty area.
It might seem that Chelsea have ample options on the flanks, but Neto may well be called into play on the right now that Noni Madueke has been sold to Arsenal, and Gittens is an untested product in the senior English game.
Borussia Dortmund's Jamie Bynoe-Gittens during training
But with Christopher Nkunku headed for the exit too, Chelsea could do with a player of Garnacho's calibre and potential, and in the long run, he might just prove to be an upgrade on Jackson at Stamford Bridge, offering more to Maresca's project.