Analysing the Top Six Teams and Their Aspirations for the New Season

#5 Chelsea

Chelsea could face a number of challenges this season

Last season: 5th

Transfer activity:

Ins:

Jorginho (£50.81m)

Robert Green (Free Transfer)

Outs: Most notable: none

Preseason preparation:

23rd July, beat Perth Glory 1-0

28th July, drew 1-1 against Inter Milan

1st August, drew 1-1 against Arsenal (lost 5-6 on penalties)

5th August, play Man City in the Community Shield

7th August, play Lyon

Chelsea have had a turbulent time this summer, all of which emanated from the managerial fracas involving Antonio Conte. Conte clearly annoyed his bosses when he accused them of not matching his ambition in the transfer market.

That came on the back of the same man disowning the sale of Nemanja Matic to United the previous season. All those served to hammer the last nail in his coffin as Chelsea manager. That wouldn't have been big business as many managers have come and gone, but the way it was handled was not good enough.

The best case scenario would have been to sack him immediately when the season ended, bring Sarri in so that by the start of preseason, the former Napoli man would be in place from day one.

That did not happen, Sarri came in late and some of the preparation was done by a man who knew he was going to be sacked. This is why Chelsea have had the fewest preparation games(3) with the 3rd coming just last night against Arsenal. Clearly, that is scanty!

In the transfer market, according to Sky Sports, Chelsea were interested in signing Jean Michael Seri, but didn't have the manager in place to run the rule. Fulham stepped in and signed the player before Chelsea knew it.

Jorginho, who admittedly is a very good player, came in, but that is all, for now at least as 38-year-old Rob Green will only offer backup to whoever will be their Number 1 as Thibaut Courtois continues to be linked with a move to Real Madrid.

There are rumours of Inter Milan's Mattias Vecino being discussed as a possible signing. If it happens, he will be a good addition, but he will need time to bed in, so will any players who would come from outside the English shores.

Talk of replacing Alvaro Morata with Gonzalo Higuain have died a natural death as the Argentine looks to be on the verge of completing his move to AC Milan as Leonardo Bonucci heads back to Juventus in a sensational swap.

All of that means that Maurizio Sarri will have to make do with the much maligned Alvaro Morata, who scored just 11 league goals last season. Sarri has quite a handful to do in his first season in charge.