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With hindsight the 2017-18 season was below par for Chelsea despite ending it on a high note as they clinched the FA Cup title by triumphing over Manchester United in a razor-thin victory.
The club finished the Premier League in fifth place, which also means they won't be playing in Europe's top flight next season as they missed out on Champions League football. The Blues were also particularly underwhelming in the Champions League, losing out to Barcelona.
As a consequence, the Blues have undergone momentous changes over the course of the ongoing transfer market. Antonio Conte has been given the axe, Maurizio Sarri has taken up the managerial position, and Jorginho has been signed for €57m.
Nevertheless, The Pensioners are still on the prowl for more top quality players who boast the potential to thrive under the tutelage of the incoming manager.
On that note, let us take a look at Chelsea's 4 most likely signings this summer.
#4 Wilfried Zaha
Wilfried Zaha has been an instrumental part of Roy Hodgson's plans at Crystal Palace, and is expected to make a move away from the club this summer having turned the heads of many European high profile clubs like of Chelsea, Tottenham, Borussia Dortmund and Manchester City with his sterling performances last season.
All the same, Chelsea have come to the fore as the front-runners for Zaha's signature. In the 2017-18 season, the 25 year old notched up a total of 9 goals and engineered 5 assists for his teammates.
Consequently, he has earned plaudits from his manager who could not help but shower his frontman with praise.
“We can’t ask any more than what he’s giving us,” Hodgson said.
#3 Daniele Rugani
Daniele Rugani is a talented center-back who presently plies his trade at the Italian club Juventus. The Italian international is currently being intensely pursued by Maurizio Sarri who has first-hand knowledge of his undeniable flair, having coached him during his stint at Empoli.
While it can be argued that Rugani is not a household name in Serie A, it is largely owing to the cut throat competition at Juventus, a club widely praised for its mean looking rear-guard.
With the atrophying presence of David Luiz and the ageing Gary Cahill, the 23 year old could give the Chelsea defence a new lease of life.
Rugani's mental composure in possession, and excellent passing ability could furnish Sarri with a much needed center-back who can act as an alternative to Kalidou Koulibaly, instigating play from the back via short passes.
#2 Aleksandr Golovin
The World Cup 2018 in Russia did not only see the hosts produce some turn-ups for the books, but they also brought forth one of the brightest stars of the tournament - Aleksandr Golovin.
After Alan Dzagoev's unfortunate injury in the opening World Cup encounter against Saudi Arabia, Golovin shouldered the responsibility of creating chances, and stood tall at the end of the competition with an impressive tally of a goal and two assists.
As a result, he has caught the eye of several European top clubs including Chelsea who are in pole position to secure his services imminently.
With the Russian international only 22 years old, Golovin could prove to be a bargain in the coming years.
#1 Gonzalo Higuaín
Gonzalo Higuain is another player from Serie A who is on Maurizio Sarri's radar. Higuain has already played under the tutelage of the Italian manager when he was in Napoli during the 2015-16 season, over the course of which the Argentine netted an astounding 36 league goals in 35 games. This equaled Gino Rossetti’s record set in 1929.
Reportedly the 30 year old is also willing to join his erstwhile gaffer at Stamford Bridge in the wake of Cristiano Ronaldo's sensational transfer to The Old Lady which has put Higuain's place in jeopardy.
If reports are to be believed, The Pensioners have opened talks with Juventus over Higuain's signing.
Apparently Chelsea is looking to sell one of Alvaro Morata, Olivier Giroud or Michy Batshuayi before the deal is struck in order to balance the books.
