Chelsea are back, Chelsea are busy and Chelsea in the transfer market know very few boundaries. Their flash spending over the past 12 months has told a story of its own and even the now desperate sales of squad players, formerly key players and unsellable academy graduates cannot detract from the underlying feeling.
Mauricio Pochettino, Todd Boehly, Behdad Eghbali, Clearlake Capital as an entire entity, Paul Winstanley and his recruit minions, Joe Shields, Lawrence Stewart and Christopher Vivell are the brains trust in this never-ending exodus of players. The revolving door has started and anyone caught up is going.
The feeling of undeniable curiosity remains at Stamford Bridge as experienced first team players leave and baby-faced, long-term replacements flood in. Just who, though, will fill the gaps left by Kai Havertz, N'Golo Kante and the rest? As disappointing as most were last season (and for some, quite a bit before that, too) they operated in a large squad that had to tackle four competitions.
There is less demand this year but the sheer volume of exits poses a question as to where the players for Pochettino in midfield and attack are coming from. It is this wonder and general query that makes the expected incomings to anticipated.
Christopher Nkunku is secured, Nicolas Jackson has followed, youth players are propping the system up but more is to come. Chelsea, as usual, are linked with most top players but the most likely options are hard to come by.
Here, football.london takes you through those that Bet365 believes are favourites to be in blue next season.
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Moises Caicedo - 1/10
Chelsea's priority for the window, as football.london understands, and the top rated transfer by the odds. Caicedo is also admired by Manchester United and Arsenal but with their own signings heading in, Caicedo to Chelsea is as open as it could be.
With a massive price tag to get around, discussions are ongoing and the Ecuadorian has already been promised he can leave Brighton. It may yet drag on throughout the summer but all parties are pushing for a deal and that usually only means one thing. No other side is below 12/1 odds here. Clear favourite.
Romeo Lavia - 2/1
The perfect partner for Caicedo? Maybe. Lavia is a long-term target for Chelsea and was heavily linked towards the end of last summer despite only just moving from Manchester City. He is now expected to leave after Southampton were relegated and he was one of the standout performers.
As a teenager he is one of the most sought after and is on the list for Liverpool (6/5), Manchester United (12/1) and Arsenal (4/1) as well but Chelsea are in a close second place here and have a serious chance to bring him in.
Emi Martinez - 5/1
A surprise inclusion as third favourite, but the goalkeeping position is one of uncertainty this summer. With Edouard Mendy leaving and Kepa Arrizabalaga still proving inconsistent even during his personal best season, there are big questions to answer.
The Blues have been linked with higher profile names including Andre Onana and Mike Maignan but Aston Villa No1, Martinez, tops the list for that position and is short odds as well.
Mohammed Kudus - 13/2
A new link for this window, Chelsea are considered to be well in the chasing pack for Kudus as he is expected to depart Ajax in the coming weeks. AC Milan are said to have made an opening bid but Brighton (5/2) are also in the race with Arsenal (6/1) and Manchester United (7/1) also listed.
With Milan's early interest becoming evident, Chelsea may well be looking to take advantage of their admiration of Christian Pulisic at the same time.
Dusan Vlahovic - 6/1
One destined to roll on forever, Vlahovic is yet again being offered around to Premier League clubs. At 23, the Juventus man is still extremely promising despite struggling in Turin. He is said to be available for around £60million and Chelsea are after a frontman with proven quality in Europe.
Juventus (6/4) are odds on to keep him this summer despite interest from Real Madrid (4/1) and Manchester United (8/1).
Florian Wirtz - 10/1
Another one seemingly out of nowhere, it was reported last week that Chelsea were keeping tabs on the Bayer Leverkusen man. With a long-term deal and massive valuation, plus his position as an attacking midfielder is far from empty at SW6, it is somewhat unexpected to see him this far up the list.
Barcelona (6/1) and Bayern Munich (8/1) are seen as more likely destinations, though another season at his current side is comfortably the most likely option. Chelsea, like they are for all top talents, appear to be in the ring, though. Kai Havertz replacement, anybody?
Lautaro Martinez - 12/1
Top European striker, you say? Up step Inter main man Martinez. The Argentine has an obvious link with Pochettino through his nationality and according to the bookies, he has solid enough ties in the market, too.
Martinez is reported to have been a name discussed in talks for the transfer of Kalidou Koulibaly, Romelu Lukaku and Onana last month, though he is also liked by Real Madrid (6/1). Staying at Inter another year is still a clear favourite here, though. Chelsea fans can dream.
Sadio Mane - 14/1
One that doesn't seem to go away. Before his move to Bayern Munich there was never any thought that Mane would be a Chelsea player but since then it is all in the air. The Senegal winger is available to move after a poor first year in Germany and has previous with Pochettino, too.
Chelsea have now made their way up the list that includes Newcastle (11/1) or a move to Saudi Arabia (5/1). It is another season under Thomas Tuchel that is seen as most likely at this stage, though.
Harry Kane - 14/1
On a par with Mane is Kane. That feels optimistic given the Tottenham connection and Daniel Levy negotiating obstacle, but it is not out of the equation entirely. With Kane reportedly keen to stay in England so he can chase the Premier League record, his family settled in London and one year left on his contract, plus Pochettino factor, the move remains teeteringly obvious.
However, reality kicks in and Kane to Chelsea feels a long way off. Bayern Munich (15/8), Real Madrid (5/1) and Manchester United (14/1) are all in play here and remaining at Spurs is perhaps still the most logical outcome. Watch this space.
Eden Hazard - 16/1
32, crooked, debating retirement. Chelsea cannot shake the seemingly eternal and inevitable thought of a return for Hazard. He is without a club currently after leaving Madrid one year before the end of his contract and this has only raised the prospect of a Stamford Bridge fairytale once more.
Offers from Saudi Arabia (5/2), MLS (1/1) and Turkey (9/2) are all seem as more likely but with Chelsea you simply do not know. It is Hazard, after all.
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