Chelsea endured one of the worst campaigns in their modern history last time out, but hopes are high that they can bounce back in some style next term.
Having gone through three different managers last season, the Blues will be desperately hoping that new boss Mauricio Pochettino offers some stability and is able to restore the club to their former glories. This job marks his first back in English football since he was sacked by Chelsea's London rivals Tottenham in November 2019.
The Stamford Bridge faithful are optimistic and if you ask ex- Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, Chelsea fans have every reason to be excited. The Red Devils icon is a keen admirer of Pochettino and rates him highly.
So highly in fact, he actually wanted the Argentine to succeed Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford in 2018 instead of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. United were in complete disarray at the time and the Norwegian was brought in to steady the ship on an interim basis.
However, after exceeding expectations in his temporary role, Solskjaer managed to convince then vice-chairman Ed Woodward to hire him as United boss on a permanent basis.
While Ferguson and Solskjaer are still in communication and enjoy a stellar relationship, it would appear that the Scot was not convinced his former player was the right man to occupy the Old Trafford hot seat beyond his interim reign.
HAVE YOUR SAY! Will Pochettino be a success at Chelsea? Comment below
The man he did want, however, was still employed by Spurs at the time in Pochettino. Ferguson viewed the Argentine as right up there with the elite and felt United should have made it their mission to pry him away from north London.
Solskjaer was announced as United's manager full-time in March 2019. Eight months later, Pochettino was out of a job at Spurs and would have been available to take over in Manchester.
Like ships in the night, the state of play never really seemed to align perfectly, as by the time Solskjaer was sacked as United boss in late 2021, Pochettino was in charge of Paris Saint-Germain.
Pochettino officially begins his role as Chelsea boss on July 1. He has signed a two-year deal at Stamford Bridge which could be extended by another year if those at the top of the club hierarchy wish to keep him on.
He'll be well aware of the size of the task that awaits him in west London after Chelsea's 12th-placed finish last season.
However, no European football could actually serve as a blessing for Pochettino as it allows him and his huge squad to devote their full attention to domestic matters.
If he is as good as Ferguson thinks he is, the feel-good factor could be back at Chelsea sooner than expected.
