The new Premier League season starts for Chelsea and their top flight rivals this weekend.
The Blues will have to wait until Monday to get their campaign underway against Brighton, with Chelsea's start delayed a little longer as the season starts unusually in September after the end to last season was pushed back due to the coronavirus pandemic.
But there is a great deal of excitement for the upcoming campaign at Stamford Bridge, even with continued uncertainty over when fans will be allowed back into stadiums.
And ahead of the season kick-off, Reach PLC’s regional football writers were asked what they expect from the new season.
When it came down to picking a Golden Boot winner, there was strong backing for Chelsea new boy Timo Werner.
The 24-year-old joined the Blues following a stunning final year in Germany, during which he scored 34 goals in 45 games for RB Leipzig.
While there is a possibility that Werner will require time to fully adapt to his new environment, many of Reach’s reporters feel as though he will hit the ground running in Frank Lampard’s new-look attack.
With the new season dawning, here is what Reach’s writers had to say while backing Werner to capture the Golden Boot at the end of his first year in England.
Ian Doyle, Liverpool
Timo Werner. Chelsea will concede a lot but score a lot, and he'll get the most. That said, I can't really see any one goalscorer running away with the Golden Boot.
Ashley Preece, Aston Villa
Timo Werner. I think the German will take to the Premier League like a duck to water and will give Chelsea an added clinical edge in and around the six-yard box.
Alan Smith, Chelsea
Timo Werner could be the standout of Chelsea's new signings. With the chances of Manchester City and Liverpool sharing their goals around more, he seems a solid bet.
Given the calibre of strikers already settled in the league, winning the Golden Boot would be a monumental achievement for Werner.
Then again, his record for Leipzig - 95 goals in 159 games - is difficult to argue with.
With quality service from Christian Pulisic, Havertz and Ziyech, Werner has the opportunity to post some seriously impressive numbers while leading the line for Chelsea.
