Chelsea are all set for the new Premier League season - though they haven't exactly had much time off since the end of the last one.
The Blues only managed to finish the 2024/25 campaign in mid-July, lifting the FIFA Club World Cup in America by defeating Champions League winners PSG. That win, while welcome, has slightly hampered preparations for the new season.
Enzo Maresca's men are set for another mammoth year of competition, having qualified for the Champions League themselves this year. But they have certainly brought in reinforcements in the transfer window, with the likes of Joao Pedro, Estevao Willian, Jamie Gittens, Liam Delap, Jorrel Hato and Dario Essugo all joining the ranks.
But how will this season go for the Blues after a big improvement last year and another trophy in the UEFA Conference League? Our football.london writers decide below...
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Sam Truelove
Enzo Maresca had a decent first season at Stamford Bridge and the challenge in his second year will be to kick on even more, both in the league and cup competitions. Securing Champions League football must be a priority and I think the Blues will do that and may even look like title challengers in the opening few months of the campaign. The Club World Cup success and gruelling 2024/25 season may mean players tire after Christmas, however, but I'm backing Chelsea to finish in the top four.
With Champions League football returning, the Blues will be expected to get out of the league phase of the competition. There's certainly more experienced teams over two legs so I think it could be an exit at the round of 16 stage. The Carabao Cup and FA Cup are genuine chances of silverware, though, and I could see Reece James lifting the FA Cup come May.
I can see Cole Palmer returning to the incredible form he has become known for, while Joao Pedro has the ability to score lots of goals in this Chelsea team. Jorrel Hato could be in for a big role now Levi Colwill has done his ACL and Estevao Willian may play more than people think. The 18-year-old is some talent.
Away from the pitch I can see Chelsea signing a new goalkeeper, perhaps in January, especially if Robert Sanchez has a shaky start. An outcome in the case of Mykhailo Mudryk would be welcome, too, with the Chelsea winger facing charges of violating anti-doping rules after failing a drugs test.
Tom Coley
This is probably the most excited the feeling has been around Chelsea heading into a season since 2021/22 off the back of winning the Champions League under Thomas Tuchel. It's no surprise that this has followed Maresca becoming the first manager since then to make it into a second term in charge.
Tuchel was going for his first full season at that point, as well. But now, Chelsea have a head coach who is settled, and the foundations of a really good team. They are adding quality to a core group coming off the back of finishing fourth, fighting through tough patches but coming out on top, and then winning both the Conference League and Club World Cup.
There is real optimism here and they should translate that into another top four finish. It is unlikely that Manchester City, Arsenal, or Liverpool are overthrown, but Chelsea will hope to close that gap and extend themselves out of reach of the chasing pack. They certainly look in a stronger position.
There is less reliance on Palmer with a much more balanced attack with depth that doesn't just lead to unhappy players in an unglamorous midweek competition. Chelsea have all the ingredients to build on last season and attack this one.
If they can get over the likely mid-season fatigue from a reduced summer of preparation, as well as Colwill's injury, then they will be well set to have another successful year.
Watch out for Estevao, who is a real star, whilst Andrey Santos could quickly become a player of serious prominence. Joao Pedro won't score at the rate he has in his first few months but does look capable of scaling up his performances and output at an elite team.
Bobby Vincent
There is a real feel-good factor at Stamford Bridge going into the new season - and it is easy to see why. European champions - albeit the Conference League - and officially the best team in the world. The only issue is, how do Chelsea build on this?
Will they become a victim of their own success? That should not be the case because it appears they have spent well in the transfer market and are - more or less - ready for the new campaign.
The Blues could well challenge for the title this season but it may be just a bit beyond them. Third-place is a real possibility, though, particularly if Joao Pedro can continue the form he has shown since signing for the club. A bold prediction: the Brazilian will score 20 goals in the Premier League over the course of the 2025/26 season.
He will be the best signing, but the likes of Jamie Gittens and Estevao Willian are two very exciting additions as well and will add plenty to the Chelsea attacking line. Another centre-back is needed given the injury to Levi Colwill, while there are a couple of other attackers being pursued.
Overall, though, it could be a really exciting season for the Blues. A third-place finish, a decent run in the Champions League and success in one of the two domestic cups. You'd take that, right?
Joe Doyle
I think to show real signs of progress, Chelsea have to have at least one foot in the Premier League title race. Realistically, with the demands of Champions League football that may prove a bit more difficult.
It all depends on how Maresca manages his squad. The attacking arrivals this summer have been very strong, but if Nicolas Jackson leaves, for example, they're down to only two real recognised strikers, which could be a bit short.
That being said, I think they'll have enough to secure a top-four finish pretty handily. That and a strong push in the Champions League will likely be enough to see another season of Maresca-ball, as he overcame early jitters last season to really nail down a style that his squad grew to love.
I think Estevao Willian will surprise a lot of people this season to become a strong member of the first-team squad despite his inexperience at the top level.
The only real sour note heading into the season is Levi Colwill's injury; it leaves questions over whether to go for another player in the market or not - though Maresca has made his stance perfectly clear.