Premier League team guide: Chelsea in the spotlight

Chelsea will be desperate to ensure their new era under Mauricio Pochettino is a successful one as they look to make last season's 12th-place finish a distant memory.

Blues owner Todd Boehly has splashed the cash on a host of stars since acquiring the club and ex-Tottenham boss Poch is tasked with finally getting them firing.

But that will be easier said than done and there is plenty of intrigue about what is to come in 2023-24.

Last season: 12th

With more than £500million spent, four different managers and only 44 points, Boehly's first season at the helm could hardly have been worse.

Popular boss Thomas Tuchel lasted just six league games before being replaced by Graham Potter, who was afforded more time but was still out of a job less than seven months later.

Club legend Frank Lampard saw out the remaining nine league games but won just one as fans counted down the days until the end of the season. 

New faces

Chelsea have been more concerned with trimming their bloated squad this summer but they have still made a couple of additions.

Christopher Nkunku will hope to remedy his new team's woes in front of goal after finally making the switch from RB Leipzig. 

The Frenchman was the Bundesliga's joint top scorer with 16 goals last term, despite an injury-hit campaign.

Nicolas Jackson provides another option up front and the incoming Axel Disasi will help the Blues cope with the loss of injured defender Wesley Fofana.

Teenage arrivals Angelo, Diego Moreira and Lesley Ugochukwu were signed with the future in mind and could end up out on loan. 

One to watch: Ian Maatsen

After an impressive 2022-23 on loan at Championship winners Burnley, Ian Maatsen has made a big impression on Pochettino during pre-season.

The versatile left-footer, 21, has been a regular feature of the Argentine's sides in the United States, impressing as a left winger, left wing-back and even on the right side of attack.

With Poch already confirming the Dutchman is in his plans for the upcoming campaign, he might just think he is in with a shot of starting Chelsea's first game of the season against Liverpool.

The boss: Mauricio Pochettino

Once a hero at rivals Spurs, Pochettino will hope to work similar wonders at Stamford Bridge.

A trophy alluded him in North London and that will likely have to change if he is to have a lengthy tenure at a club that ruthlessly demands success.

While it did not work out for him at Paris Saint-Germain after leaving Spurs, the 51-year-old's proven track record of nurturing young talent could stand him in good stead of finally getting the most out of Chelsea's expensive squad.

Information correct as of August 2, 2023