Chelsea's January splurge has created new-found optimism that has been missing from the club in recent months. Since losing to Brighton in a game that ended Graham Potter's nine-match unbeaten start to life at Stamford Bridge, it has been a tough ride for fans, players and the head coach himself.
The Stamford Bridge faithful were told that they had to accept the 'new Chelsea' and the team in transition having just seen one of the most energetic and engaging managers in their lifetimes leave. Potter was a different choice thrust upon them and the relationship never truly kicked off.
Results worsened, the bad run extended with the promise of more dark times before the light returned to Stamford Bridge. But this is Chelsea, most thought. It only took 31 days to change a lot of that. There is now excitement heading into the Blues' first fixture for two weeks.
