MANAGER: Carlo Ancelotti (June 2009)

MAJOR INS: Yuri Zhirkov (CSKA Moscow, £18m), Daniel Sturridge (Man City), Ross Turnbull (Boro, free)

MAJOR OUTS: Ben Sahar (£1m, Espanyol), Michael Mancienne (Wolves, loan)

KEY MAN: Frank Lampard (426 apps, 130 gls)
Squad selector: Pick your Chelsea XI

LAST SEASON: 3rd

OUR VERDICT: 2nd. Ancelotti will be charged with delivering the title, but Chelsea - having failed to land a 'Galactico' in the summer - are just a fraction short still.
Watch Lawro's verdict on Chelsea