After a reasonably encouraging pre-season tour, the Blues will be looking to expand on their domestic achievements in the last 2 campaigns by extending their dominance to the European scene.

The respective captures of Ballack and Shevchenko are at odds with Mourinho’s previous ‘No Galacticos’ policy. This will perhaps encourage a shift in a concentration on retaining the Premiership title to the capture of the Champion’s League title.

Joe Cole was arguably England’s best player in the world cup, and sadly his run of good form has been interrupted by a knee injury sustained in the match against MLS Allstars in pre-season. What was first thought to be ligament damage turned out to be a minor strain and he will be back in contention for his place in Chelsea’s starting line-up in the next few weeks.

Other players sidelined by injury include Petr Cech (who had delayed shoulder surgery to a recurring injury in order to play in the Czech Repulic’s world cup campaign) and Claude Makalele (who was one of the last players to return to the Chelsea camp after his involvement in the World Cup final). Ballack’s suspected hamstring injury appears to only be a minor niggle, and therefore he is expected to start the first match of the season alongside Frank Lampard in the centre of midfield.

Many people are expecting Joe’s injury to provide Shaun Wright Phillips with his chance to shine in a Chelsea shirt; however Kalou has looked very sharp in pre-season and may get the nod ahead of the misfiring ex-Man City player. Essien is expected to fill Makalele’s role with Lassana Diarra functioning as their understudy.

Shevchenko has already shown that he is still capable of breathtaking composure in front of goal by scoring a clinical equaliser against Liverpool in the Charity Shield, and will look to continue his goal scoring form as the new season approaches. However, Drogba has looked lacklustre in pre-season, typically frustrating and delighting in equal measure. Question marks hang over Drogba’s ability to play at the very highest level, and his performances this season are likely to determine whether he has a future with the club.

The impending arrival of Ashley Cole has stalled due to a stand-off over the transfer fee (See Ahmed Bilal’s article on the matter here). Chelsea are looking like they may start the season with Wayne Bridge at left back, but it is more likely that Mourinho will fill last season’s problem position with a new face before the transfer window closes.

Mourinho has already assured doubters that this season’s squad is “stronger than last season’s� and it would be hard to argue. Can the ‘new galacticos’ conquer the Champion’s League this season or will the cracks begin to appear in Chelsea’s philosophy?

Only time will tell, but one thing is certain… controversy and derision will wait at every corner until Chelsea begin to endear themselves with a sceptical and frustrated footballing public. And with the world against them, the pressure could prove too much for Roman’s army.