Chris Waddle: They’ve got a great squad. They bought a lot of players last year and it has taken time for them to get the balance right, but you saw things come together when they won the Club World Cup and I am really expecting them to kick on. They won’t walk it, but they are going to create chances and score a lot of goals.
Nedum Onuoha: They’ll be part of the title race for longer this season than the last. Under Enzo Maresca they have a clear way to play and players who are constantly improving. They’ll be a threat to everyone, which is why they’re champions of the world.
Rachel Brown-Finnis: People scoffed and were very cynical about the Club World Cup but winning it has given them some momentum, especially with the young players they have got. They are such a young team and are still learning, so you are going to see more fluctuations in form than with, say, Liverpool, but they will come into the season flying. I’d be shocked if they don’t win at least one trophy, and you cannot dismiss them as title contenders.
Ellen White: Chelsea put players on these massively long contracts and there are always lots of ins and outs but they have been developing the team they wanted, especially what Maresca has wanted, over the past couple of seasons.
Troy Deeney: They are strong in every position but their inexperience and late start to pre-season after winning the Club World Cup will come back to haunt them in later rounds.
Lindsay Johnson: A busy summer will maybe impact them over a long season.
Chris Sutton: I wonder how much the Club World Cup will take out of them, mentally as much as physically. You need rest in that way too.
Pat Nevin: They look sharp and the new buys are just fabulous – Estevao Willian has every chance of being the best in the business. In the past, Chelsea have relied on Cole Palmer, but maybe not anymore. They will hit the ground running but there is a wall up ahead that they might run into, which is December and January. If you hear anyone say the phrase ‘they have started really well, the summer has not affected them’, then shake your head – the problem comes later.
