It can be hard not to indulge in a bit of negativity when gazing towards the start of Chelsea's season following a challenging pre-season.
After thousands of miles were travelled to the States for what should have been an uplifting tour, the Blues returned to Cobham on Tuesday with more questions than answers following only one win in three games, the last being a humbling defeat to a Premier League rival.
The countdown is on till the start of the season at Goodison Park and with many doubts over the squad's ability to be ready for that test, it is easy to understand why Thomas Tuchel has expressed such frustration.
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However, a new season should bring fresh hope. Especially under new ownership who in certain ways have already offered encouragement with their approach to running Chelsea.
Two new signings and hopefully more to come, there should be a new look to Tuchel's squad by the beginning of September and hope that the arrival of competitive action can spark the best out of the Blues.
Here are four (not all super serious) reasons for fans to be optimistic before the first ball is kicked on Merseyside on August 6.
The kits have improved
Whether you care deeply or not, having a good kit should still mean something and luckily, Nike have vastly improved their offerings this season.
After the complete mess that was last season's home shirt, this year's edition looks good on fans and even better on the players with a clean and more simplistic design feeling like a nod to previously beloved designs.
The crayon-like markings on the collar slightly undermine it but with the other leaked kits yet to be released, 2021/22 might prove the be the strongest with Nike so far after much criticism from fans.
Sterling and Koulibaly
Two of European football's best in their positions over the past decade signing sparked excitement and moving forward, can hopefully both improve the areas they play in.
Raheem Sterling's output for Manchester City since the 2017/18 season has bettered all of Chelsea's top scorers in those campaigns and his hunger for goals could provide the consistent output Tuchel has so desperately craved. And Kalidou Koulibaly arriving after years of speculation, one of Europe's highly rated defenders aiming to instantly provide a ready-made replacement for the departed Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen.
Both signings are big statements and players who will likely play influential roles in the coming months, the thought of watching them in a Chelsea shirt easily sparks excitement.
A Sporting Director
Although Todd Boehly has been jetting around the world doing the role himself for the short term, even reading the public commitment to fill a role many fans have wanted to see felt like an exciting step forward.
Chelsea hope to appoint a full-time sporting director before the January window. That could be an eye-catching name like Michael Edwards, probably the dream option in this role.
Getting this decision right could prove highly transformative to Chelsea's transfer strategy which has felt inconsistent and frustrating for several years.
More Cobham breakthroughs
The return of Conor Gallagher feels like the most obvious name here given others could still leave, but there is still a chance that Armando Broja and Levi Colwill remain a part of Tuchel's squad for the upcoming season and repeat the feat of Trevoh Chalobah 12 months ago to prove a priceless solution.
Although some of Tuchel's decision-making in pre-season has put a dampener on this becoming a reality, given the uncertainty over who Chelsea will sign next the opportunity to impress and sway Tuchel's thinking could still be there.
Gallagher, Broja and Colwill could all add fresh options to a squad that looked out of ideas at the back end of last season.
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