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After becoming one of the Premier League’s main laughing stocks last season, Chelsea will head into the 2026/27 campaign with plenty to prove.

Their scattergun transfer strategy, combined with a lack of patience with managers, ultimately had a major negative impact on the Blues’ fortunes last term.

Xabi Alonso has been brought in to steady the ship, and it will be interesting to see whether he can get Chelsea moving in the right direction once again.

With that in mind, here is an assessment of Chelsea’s hopes of putting together a productive 2026/27 Premier League season.

IN: Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa, £117m), Quenda (Sporting CP, £44m), Pep Chavarria (Rayo Vallecano, £16.3m), Denner (Corinthians, £8.7m), Dastan Satpaev (Kairat Almaty, £2.1m), Emmanuel Emegha (Strasbourg, undisclosed), Marco Palestra (Atalanta, undisclosed), Harrison Bettoni (Wigan Athletic, undisclosed), Maxence Lacroix (Crystal Palace, undisclosed), Danny Welbeck (Brighton & Hove Albion, undisclosed), Jordan Henderson (free agent), Valentin Barco (undisclosed),

OUT: Marc Cucurella (Real Madrid, £51.8m), Andrey Santos (Manchester United, £48m), Trevoh Chalobah (Como, £25.7m), Tyrique George (Everton, £18m), Jimmy-Jay Morgan (West Bromwich Albion, undisclosed), Brodi Hughes (released), Richard Olise (released), Sam Rak-Sakyi (released), Jimi Tauriainen (released), Harrison Murray-Campbell (KV Kortrijk, loan), Chris Atherton (Ipswich Town, undisclosed), Jesse Derry (Sporting CP, loan), Alejandro Garnacho (Aston Villa, loan), Genesis Antwi (Strasbourg, loan), Filip Jorgensen (Strasbourg, loan), Dastan Satpaev (Burnley, loan)

(Information correct on August 17).

There seems to have been genuine thought behind Chelsea’s transfer business this summer, which suggests Alonso has more control over proceedings than the managers who came before him.

The marquee deal is Morgan Rogers’ big-money move from Aston Villa, and he looks like he could be a very shrewd signing for the club.

Maxence Lacroix also brings proven Premier League quality to a defence that previously contained far too many players who failed to deliver.

If Chelsea can keep Levi Colwill fit, they will have a central defensive partnership that is at least comparable with those of the other likely title challengers.

The arrival of wing-back Marco Palestra also points to Alonso being tactically flexible, something reflected by his use of both a back three and a back four during pre-season.

On paper, Chelsea possess a squad capable of challenging for the title. However, their chances will probably depend on two major factors — keeping Enzo Fernandez and getting Cole Palmer back to his best.

Fernandez has been heavily linked with Manchester City, although they now appear to have turned their focus towards Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi.

That could be encouraging news for Chelsea, who should not even be considering selling Fernandez if they are serious about winning the Premier League.

City may still come back in for Fernandez before the summer transfer window shuts, but Chelsea must stand firm if they make an approach.

With Palmer likely to be well rested after being left out of England’s World Cup squad, Chelsea supporters have every reason to be optimistic.

Not being involved in European competition will also give Alonso more time on the training ground with his squad, and that could work in Chelsea’s favour this season.

Sustaining a genuine title challenge may ultimately be a step too far, but finishing in the top four should certainly be within Chelsea’s reach this season.