The transfer window hasn't even opened yet and already the pitfalls are starting to become apparent. Chelsea have plenty of business to complete in terms of both incoming and outgoing transfers and will be hoping to get off to a quick start to their business when the window opens in seven days time.
Already the Blues have enjoyed a mini-saga of sorts when trying to land Miguel Ugarte before eventually pulling out, while N'Golo Kante is set to depart the club for Saudi Arabia with a contract left on the table. That is before even touching on the future of Mason Mount after some difficult negotiations for both sides.
Chelsea were unable to get their business completed quickly last summer and saw the likes of Marco Alonso and Ross Barkley head on their pre-season tour of the United States, before ultimately letting both go for free later in the summer. The Blues saw wantaway stars in Christian Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech stay and combined with aggressive January transfers created a squad with too many players to accommodate.
Frank Lampard noted on the final day of the Premier League season: "The squad has been too deep and that's the biggest challenge I've found day to day. Coming in and trying to work with big numbers and players that are maybe a little bit, for whatever reason, disillusioned, for right or wrong, that they're not playing or they might be leaving. Those situations can be sorted out now and they have to be."
Mauricio Pochettino will take over the squad when he officially arrives at Cobham, and has preferred a smaller group of players to focus on in the past. Whether Chelsea can deliver upon that while also keeping the core he hopes to build around remains to be seen.
With that in mind, football.london takes a look at what would be the worst-case scenario this summer for the Blues.
READ MORE : N'Golo Kante exit sees Chelsea repeat fatal Mason Mount transfer mistake
A great deal of emphasis will be on departures, but the Blues have already shown they are not always the most adept at that. If they can not find a new home for either Kepa Arrizabalaga or Edouard Mendy, the possibility of a new stopper is quickly denied, while without offloading Hakim Ziyech and Christian Pulisic, Chelsea will remain oversubscribed on the wings.
Chelsea have been unable to agree a satisfactory fee for either of the latter duo, but are under greater pressure to do so on this occasion as Pulisic enters the final year of his contract. A loan to PSG fell through at the last minute for Ziyech in January, and the west London side need to go a step further having perhaps already frustrated one suitor.
Chelsea's sporting directors are targeting reinforcement in midfield with Moises Caicedo currently he most prominent name but will not be able to land the star with competition. Arsenal were interested in the Ecuador international and could return, ensuring the Blues are once again held to ransom by Brighton. If the price rises too high, perhaps the Blues let the deal go to ensure they are not stuck in the cycle that has seen them spend big over the last 12 months. Maybe the Gunners patience pays off and they can gain some revenge of the Blues by landing the midfielder who does not back down on his preference with Champions League football in wait at the Emirates.
That scenario is perhaps most likely to play out after weeks of back and forth and competition, leaving little time to secure a quality deal. Maybe even another deadline day loan would await.
If that was to be combined with losing Ruben Loftus-Cheek, N'Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic and Mason Mount - two of which to Premier League rivals for potentially unsatisfactory fees - could be damaging. Pochettino would be left short of Premier League experience in the centre of the pitch, and Carney Chukwuemeka may quickly go from barely a minute played to intense scrutiny.
However, as with many Chelsea transfer windows, much will centre around the striker position. There have already been whispers that Romelu Lukaku may require another loan, with a transfer difficult financially and stay at Cobham over the summer infuriating to many. The Belgian has made his position clear in hoping to return to Serie A, which could see Inter ready to take a hard-line stance.
If that drags on too long, perhaps the window to sign Victor Osimhen is missed and Manchester United pounce with the appeal of Champions League football and the Nerazzurri feel secure enough to keep hold of Lautaro Martinez.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was brought in as a last minute change of plan last term. It would hurt if he stayed at the club due to the same reasons once again if a forward remains required due to his lack of resale value.
Have your say on Chelsea's season and what comes next!
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