After proving themselves as the team to beat in the Premier League last season, Chelsea will again be favourites to retain their title once the new campaign rolls around next month.

The Blues are star-studded in every area, with Jose Mourinho fine-tuning his squad with world-beaters across the park.

In the transfer window this summer, the Blues have added Asmir Begovic as a replacement for Petr Cech, but beyond that it is not looking like a period of major upheaval for the West London outfit.

Due to extreme competition for places in the starting XI, a host of fringe figures will be wondering just how much regular football they will receive next season and be considering their futures as a result.

One such man is Juan Cuadrado, who arrived at Chelsea in January as an exciting addition but has found the going tough at Stamford Bridge.

With Willian the first choice on the right of midfield in Mourinho’s 4-2-3-1 formation, the Colombian international was limited to fleeting outings in the first team last term.

Others, such as the trusted figure of Ramires, are also options for the Portuguese trainer in the role and it remains to be seen just whether Cuadrado is really needed.

The former Fiorentina man’s plight could well be set to get worse, with the reigning English champions being heavily linked with a move for versatile Barcelona forward Pedro.

The Spain international would naturally fit in on one of the flanks for the West London outfit; with Eden Hazard commandeering the role on the left-hand side, the alternative wing would seem most likely.

Reports in Italy have started to suggest that the likes of Juventus, Inter and other Serie A outfits are interested in taking the Cuadrado on loan ahead of the 2015-16 campaign.

It will be a tough decision for the Colombian to make, especially given that he has been in England just over six months.

Cuadrado has all the attributes to be a success at Chelsea, with the diminutive wideman possessing the skills that Mourinho looks for in his players.

The sprightly winger’s invention and creativity has been on show for club and country for a number of years, while his ability to punish opponents on the counter attack seems perfect for the Blues in away fixtures.

The Portuguese coach also wants his attacking players to work hard without the ball and demands positional discipline, which the Colombian has shown a willingness to do over the years.

Cuadrado needs a run of games in the Chelsea first team to adapt to English football and his new environment, but whether he will be afforded the luxury remains to be seen.

Others such as Kevin de Bruyne, Ander Schurrle, Marko Marin and even Mohamed Salah, who went the other way in Cuadrado’s deal, have struggled to break into the right-wing berth over the years.

For Cuadrado, another campaign of restricted action would be a travesty given his considerable ability and as such he will need guarantees ahead of 2015-16.