Ranking what the Blues have on offer.
Chelsea started their 2014/15 season in impressive fashion on Monday with a 3-1 victory over Burnley that sent them straight to the top of the Premier League table.
After failing to win any silverware during his first campaign in charge after returning in 2013, manager Jose Mourinho has ensured he has strengthened in the transfer market this summer.
So here CaughtOffside rates the Blues squad out of 10.
Goalkeepers
Petr Cech – 6
Has kept more clean-sheets in Premier League history than any other ‘keeper, but the 32-year-old’s form has steadily dropped in recent years and he was benched against the Clarets.
Thibaut Courtois – 8
Back at Stamford Bridge following three years of success on-loan with Atletico Madrid and looks to have usurped Cech for a place between the sticks.
Mark Schwarzer – 5
A hugely experienced figure in the English top tier and showed last term that despite now being 41-years-old he can still perform well when called upon.
Full-backs
Nathan Ake – 5
One of the few youngsters in West London who looks like he could be given a chance this campaign, although may still find game time limited with two established stars ahead of him for a place in the XI.
Cesar Azpilicueta – 7
Proved over the past 12 months that he is a fine asset as both a left-back and at his preferred right-back position and Azpilicueta is a player Mourinho loves to call upon.
Branislav Ivanovic – 8
Has developed superbly from a strong central defender into a brilliant full-back who is now just as useful in attack as he always was at the back.
Filipe Luis – 7
Signed from the Vicente Calderon Stadium in a £15.8m deal this summer as a direct replacement for the departed Ashley Cole, this Brazilian has bags of experience at the top level.
Centre-backs
Gary Cahill – 8
Proved last campaign that he could cut it on any stage and Cahill’s performances as part of the best central defensive partnership in the division earned him a place in the 2014 PFA Team of the Year.
John Terry – 8
Partnering the England international is the Blues captain, who unlike fellow veterans Cole and Frank Lampard earned himself a new contract for this season due to his importance to the team.
Kurt Zouma – 6
The 19-year-old was bought from Saint-Etienne in January before being immediately sent back on-loan to the Ligue 1 club, but with David Luiz having been sold could get his chances in 2014/15.
Central midfielders
Cesc Fabregas – 9
Signed from FC Barcelona in a £30m deal this summer and immediately showed his talent with a Man of the Match performance on Monday which included two assists in his new side’s 3-1 victory.
Nemanja Matic – 8
Another January purchase and after two-and-a-half years with Benfica the 25-year-old returned to the Bridge and it’s clear to see why many think Matic is the best defensive midfielder in Europe.
John Obi Mikel – 5
Is on the periphery of the starting XI and has failed to truly impress since his 2006 transfer and it wouldn’t come as a huge surprise if Mourinho axed the Nigeria international.
Ramires – 7
A great utility player with his ability to operate in central midfield and on the right side and his workmanlike attitude is something that the manager admires in a player.
Marco van Ginkel – 6
Had a difficult first year in English football following a 2013 transfer after picking up a cruciate ligament injury, but now back and fit the 21-year-old will be looking to impress.
Attacking midfielders
Eden Hazard – 9
Since moving to the club from Lille for £32m in 2012 the Belgian has been twice named in the PFA Team of the Year and voted Young Player of the Year last term and continues to impress.
Oscar – 7
When Mourinho returned last summer the 51-year-old named this Brazil international as his preferred No.10 ahead of Juan Mata, although the attacking midfielder still has much to prove to justify that.
Mohamed Salah – 6
Along with Matic and Zouma arrived in January and although has not exactly blown anyone away with his displays, at 21-years-old there is still plenty of time for improvement.
Willian – 7
After being linked with Liverpool and completing a medical with Tottenham Hotspur this Brazilian made a last minute switch to the West Londoners 12 months ago and has proven to be a useful asset.
Forwards
Diego Costa – 8
The third player to move from Atleti to the Bridge this summer as Costa was purchased for £32m after scoring 36 goals in all competitions for Diego Simeone’s side in 2013/14.
Didier Drogba – 6
The club legend has returned, although a little older then when he was last at the Bridge in 2012 and at 36-years-old is likely to be nothing more than a squad player now.
Andre Schurrle – 7
Buoyed with the confidence of having won the 2014 World Cup with Germany the 23-year-old started against Burnley and repaid that faith with a well taken goal.
Fernando Torres – 5
Still remains at the club despite having been widely considered a flop following a British record £50m transfer in 2011 and Torres is now well down the pecking order under Mourinho.
SEE ALSO: best Premier League players 2014/15