Chelsea’s Premier League campaign was a relative stroll in the park; they won back the Premier League title with comfort and ease. No one came close to Jose Mourinho’s men and they lifted the trophy whilst cruising in third gear for the majority of the season.

But for all of their successes in the domestic game, Chelsea failed in the Champions League, their attempts to win Europe’s top prize for the second time, were foiled by PSG in the last 16. Mourinho has made it quite clear that one of his top ambitions for next year is to do better in Europe. So how can the Champions improve to ensure they can be genuine challengers for the continent’s top prize?

Diego Costa’s acquisition from Atletico Madrid was one of the stellar transfers of last season, his 20 goals were pivotal in their league triumph. However, the Spaniard only played 26 games, a total surpassed by the ageing Didier Drogba, the forward has had his injury problems for over a year now and behind him Chelsea’s forward options are threadbare.

With Drogba’s departure and Remy’s own personal injury issues, Chelsea must ensure they have ample back up for Costa. If they are to truly contend in the latter stages of the Champions League their strength in depth must be improved. Just looking at this year’s finalists Barcelona’s front three is a painful reminder of just how far behind they currently find themselves behind the leading lights in the competition.

Edinson Cavani was reportedly linked with a switch to Stamford Bridge last year and Mourinho may look to rekindle the interest in the PSG forward, he could be exactly what they require.

Although they have boasted one of the meanest defences in Europe, some could say they have been fortunate with their relatively injury-free season. John Terry, who is now 35, will surely begin to slow down in the coming years and although he shows no signs of faltering yet, they need to make sure they have an adequate understudy for the skipper.

Alongside Terry there are still concerns as to whether Gary Cahill is of sufficient quality to lead Chelsea to European glory, he has built an outstanding partnership with Terry but there are certainly still question marks over the former Bolton man.

With John Obi Mikel’s imminent departure Mourinho will surely need to find some cover for the irrepressible Nemanja Matic, he has been a revelation in his first full campaign back at The Bridge, but it must still be a worry at what they will be left with should the Serbian fall foul to injury.

Finally, simply put, they must score more goals; Chelsea only managed to find the net 73 times in the League last term. If they are to flourish in all competitions next year they must find goals from all over the team. Fabregas, for all of his wizardry did not chip enough with enough goals to justify his transfer fee.

Moruinho will surely realise that there is work to do if, but ‘The Special One’ has a track record in the competition and it would be silly to suggest that he won’t be lifting it for the third time in his managerial career in a year’s time.

//embed.scribblelive.com/Embed/v7.aspx?Id=1271962&ThemeId=22054