Chelsea have endured a summer of change on and off the pitch and could be set for an inconsistent season.
In their opening thee games they've drawn, won and lost - with their most recent result a 3-0 defeat at Leeds United which exposed some of their flaws, especially in the final third. Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner both left the club in the summer with Raheem Sterling coming in.
More reinforcements are needed though if Thomas Tuchel's side are to challenge for the top four and potentially claim silverware. Todd Boehly, the new man at the helm, is set to play a pivotal role in and final weeks of the transfer window.
These are the latest news lines coming out of Stamford Bridge.
Gordon move update
Everton are finally ready to cash in on Gordon - it they can find a suitable replacement.
The Goodison Park club have stood firm in the face of three approaches from Chelsea - plus offers from Tottenham and Newcastle - with boss Frank Lampard insisting he wants the 21-year-old to stay. But the Club World Cup holders have indicated they are ready to return with an eye-watering offer of £50million that could rise to £60m with additional bonus payments.
While Lampard and the club’s hierarchy want to keep the rising star, who is a product of the Toffees' academy, the financial situation at Goodison makes it almost impossible to resist Chelsea's approach.
£150m extra set to be spent
Chelsea have already spent more than £150m since Boehly's takeover, with Marc Cucurella, Raheem Sterling and Kalidou Koulibaly joined by youngsters Carney Chukwuemeka, Gaga Slonina and Cesare Casadei. However, if reports this week are to be believed, that figure could essentially double by September 1.
One of the moves which appears to have been gathering pace is the deal to bring Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang back to the Premier League. According to The Sun, Chelsea could land the Gabon international for £25m. Aubameyang played some of the best football of his career under current Blues boss Tuchel when the pair were together at Borussia Dortmund.
Fofana is also a primary target after the Blues missed out on the likes of Presnel Kimpembe and Jules Kounde, with a fee for the Leicester City man set at around £70m. Everton's Gordon is also much very on the radar at Stamford Bridge.
Taylor call made
The Premier League have confirmed that Anthony Taylor will be in refereeing action over the next two matchweeks - but he will not officiate Chelsea after Thomas Tuchel was charged for comments he made about the referee.
Similarly, Mike Dean will have no involvement in the Blues' home game against Leicester on Saturday and trip to Southampton next Tuesday. Taylor and Dean are two names that cause much anger and frustration in the Blues fanbase following incidents in the dramatic 2-2 draw with Tottenham on August 14.
Paul Tierney will be the man in the middle for Chelsea's game against Leicester, with David Coote as the fourth official and Andre Marriner on VAR duty. Meanwhile, Michael Oliver is set to referee the Blues' clash with Saints, as Graham Scott takes the reins as the fourth official and Michael Salisbury is on VAR.
