The recruitment process is always difficult after a title-winning season, as trophy-laden Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho would quickly confirm.
Champions are often left with difficult dilemmas; do you change the formula of a title-winning starting Xi, look to add depth to the squad, attempt to lure world-class stars with your recently added-to trophy cabinet, or simply hold tight and hope history repeats itself?
Well, the Special One hasn't yet made clear what strategy he'll follow, but we do know he plans to make only 'two or three signings' in the coming transfer window - as the Portuguese revealed in May.
So who could these two or three lucky so-and-sos be? Using our god-given powers of transfer know how, we at Football Fancast have tried to whittle it down to a list of nine stars known to be on the Stamford Bridge radar.
Could two or three of these nine turn up in west London this summer?
RADAMEL FALCAO
One of Jose Mourinho's preferred signings appears to be Manchester United flop Radamel Falcao, with reports Chelsea intend to sign him on a year-long loan from Monaco.
The Colombian international has just come to the end of arguably the worst campaign of his career, netting just four times in 29 outings for the Red Devils and resembling anything but a £55million front-man.
But if Mourinho can restore the 29 year-old back to half the striker that bagged 72 goals in 87 appearances for FC Porto and 70 goals in 91 outings for Atletico Madrid, he'll be a more than effective replacement for Didier Drogba.
CHRISTIAN BENTEKE
Christian Benteke has been more prominently linked to Arsenal and Liverpool, but there's something poignantly Didier Drogba-esque about the Aston Villa target man.
Measuring in at 6 foot 3, imperious in the air and incredibly mobile for a player of his size, Benteke represents the kind of physicality Jose Mourinho adores in his strikers - and Chelsea require for their lone front-man role.
The 24 year-old's £32millon release clause is more than affordable for the Blues and he's almost certain to join a top Premier League club this summer after bagging twelve goals in his last 13 outings for the Villians - bringing his total to 49 strikes in 99 appearances.
But whether the Belgium international would play second fiddle to Diego Costa remains to be seen.
RAPHAEL VARANE
Dubbed 'the best young defender in the world' by Jose Mourinho in March 2014, Raphael Varane remains a long-term target for the Chelsea boss.
The Portuguese oversaw the France international's development at Real Madrid and he's since emerged as a very complete centre-back, with great athleticism, anticipation and quality on the ball.
With John Terry edging towards retirement, Mourinho would love to sign the towering 22 year-old this summer. But having already rejected a bid from Manchester United, it will take an almighty sum to convince the Bernabeu outfit to sell.
GIANNELLI IMBULA
Jose Mourinho was renowned for out-of-the-box signings during his first Chelsea tenure and one obscure name that keeps popping up in the tabloids' rumour columns is Giannelli Imbula.
The 22 year-old has just come to the end of an impressive season at Marseille, averaging 2.4 tackles, 1.2 interceptions and 3 successful dribbles per match whilst bagging two goals and two assists in 37 Ligue 1 outings.
With many suspecting Ramires or John Obi Mikel could be moved on in the coming transfer window, the France U21 represents a potential replacement.
ASMIR BEGOVIC
Jose Mourinho wants a top-class replacement for Petr Cech and Stoke City's Asmir Begovic falls firmly into that category.
The 27 year-old has demonstrated a remarkable consistency as the Potters' No.1 over the last five campaigns, in that time claiming the club's Young Player of the Year, Players' Player of the Year (twice), Supporters' Club Player of the Year and Player of the Year awards - so there's no doubting how highly he's rated at the Britannia.
With just a year left on his contract, recent reports claim Stoke could be forced to sell for around £8million. He'd be a more than adequate understudy to Thibaut Courtois, and regular outings in the Champions League would be an important step in the Bosnian international's development.
Robert Green
A cheaper alternative to Asmir Begovic who would probably be more willing to spend large portions of the season on the bench, Chelsea's rumoured pursuit of Robert Green makes a lot of sense.
The England international was one of a few bright sparks at QPR this season, making the second-most saves of any Premier League goalkeeper with 128, and his arrival would boost Chelsea's home-grown quota.
Likewise, the short distance between Stamford Bridge and Loftus Road means he wouldn't have to uproot to make the move, whilst Rangers are widely expected to sell the 35 year-old after their relegation to the Championship for a miserly £2million.
TOBY ALDERWEIRELD
Reports emerged earlier this week that Chelsea have been offered Southampton loan star Toby Alderweireld by parent club Atletico Madrid.
The Belgium international impressed during his season-long stay at St. Mary's, helping Ronald Koeman's side claim the second-healthiest goals conceded column in the division after the Blues.
The Mattress Makers and Chelsea have a pretty healthy relationship when it comes to transfers and the Blues could certainly do with another body to cover the right-back and centre-back positions for next season.
Reportedly available for £10million, it seems like a good piece of business for the west Londoners.
Antoine Griezmann
Another Atletico star believed to be on the Chelsea radar, Jose Mourinho recently declared himself 'not interested' in signing Antoine Griezmann - but we heard similar claims before Juan Cuadrado turned up in west London last January.
The France international has converted himself from a winger into an out-and-out striker during his opening campaign at Vincente Calderon, netting an impressive 25 times in all competitions.
The manner in which the 24 year-old has flourished in a hardworking, disciplined and organised Atletico side suggests he'd adapt quickly to Chelsea's likeminded style, whilst adding depth to both the front-line and attacking midfield.
The Mattress Makers have made it clear any suitor will have to activate Griezmann's £43.5million release clause, however, which would make him the Blues' most expensive ever signing under Mourinho.
PAUL POGBA
Who isn't tracking Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba this summer would probably be the simpler question.
A combination of technical trickery, imperious athleticism and netting prowess has seen the former Manchester United youngster emerge as one of the most complete centre-mids in world football since swapping Old Trafford for the Old Lady by way of a free transfer in summer 2012.
Having since claimed three consecutive Serie A titles with the Turin outfit and now set to face Barcelona in the 2015 Champions League final, the 22 year old is widely expected to move on in the coming window.
The France international is linked to virtually every major club in Europe and he'd add a whole new dynamic to Chelsea's engine room. Whether they can afford his £70million valuation, however, remains to be seen.