Returning starlet, 35-goal France ace and Hakimi - a Chelsea XI under new owners

And, whilst a new owner normally means huge upheaval at a club, it seems unlikely that that will happen at Stamford Bridge.

Chairman Bruce Buck, director Marina Granovskaia, and technical and performance advisor Petr Cech are set to remain at the club after the takeover, which should mean business as usual in west London.

That business is normally looking to sign the best players in world football, with the likes of Mateo Kovacic, Timo Werner, and Romelu Lukaku all joining the club in recent years.

And this year looks like it will be no different, with the Blues linked with some of Europe's hottest properties.

Manager Thomas Tuchel will be aiming to improve on last season's third-place Premier League spot, as well as their two runners-up finishes in both domestic cups.

Achraf Hakimi and Christopher Nkunku are two of the players who have been heavily linked with a move to west London, which would add to their already star-studded squad.

Hakimi revealed he turned down a move to Tuchel's side last summer, before signing for Paris Saint-Germain - but The Athletic report that they could go back in for the right-back this year.

But what does this mean for current right-sided wing-back Reece James?

The England international has established himself as one of the best in the world in his position, so it seems strange to have both him and Hakimi in the same squad.

There have been reports linking the 22-year-old with Real Madrid, which could mean Hakimi is seen as a James replacement.

But it seems more likely that Tuchel will look to use James on the right side of a three-man defence, a position he has played to great effect plenty of times under the German.

Chelsea will currently have just three out-and-out senior centre-backs at the club ahead of next season, which could be why James is seen as an option in that position.

Another player who could also be given a chance to shine at centre-back isn't a new signing but may feel like one.

Levi Colwill spent the 2021/22 season starring for promotion-chasing Huddersfield - who lost the Championship play-off final to Nottingham Forest.

The left-footed 19-year-old has shown he has all the right attributes to feature for the Blues, and the club have shown they are not afraid to give young players an opportunity.

Current first-teamers James, Mason Mount, and Trevoh Chalobah have all been given a go by Tuchel after Championships loans, and Colwill may well be next.

Looking further up the pitch and, despite Chelsea spending more than £220million on attackers over the last couple of seasons, Nkunku could be the next big-money forward on their shopping list.

The Frenchman has had a remarkable season in the Bundesliga, scoring 35 goals and providing 20 assists in 50 games for RB Leipzig.

The 24-year-old would fit into the west Londoners frontline too, being able to drop into a no.10 position, but also capable of getting in behind and finishing his chances in-and-around the box.

That's something Kai Havertz has done superbly well since also signing from the German top flight, and that partnership, alongside the consistently brilliant Mason Mount is an exciting prospect.

As for the rest of the team, Edouard Mendy, Thiago Silva, Mateo Kovacic, and N'golo Kante will likely remain as frequent starters after good performances in blue last season.

Ben Chilwell is another who may feel like a new addition to the squad, with the left-back set to return after a lengthy lay-off next season.

It leaves the Chelsea squad with a superb starting XI and an even better squad, even if the likes of Cesar Azpilicueta, Jorginho, and Romelu Lukaku do leave this summer.

How Chelsea could line up under their new owners next season…