Few Chelsea fans believe the club have a hope of challenging for the title and yet many can’t wait for the season to start.
Chelsea may have lost Eden Hazard to Real Madrid and been unable to register new players due to a transfer ban, but the appointment of Frank Lampard as head coach appears to have helped compensate for that.
There is genuine excitement over how the team is going to play under Lampard and expectation that talented academy players will be given a chance to succeed.
Still, Lampard knows from his 13-year playing career at Stamford Bridge that no manager can rely on the feel-good factor for long.
As far as starts to a campaign go, it couldn’t be much tougher with a trip to Manchester United on Sunday followed by the Uefa Super Cup Final against Liverpool and then a home league clash with an ambitious Leicester outfit.
Lampard is certainly not going to want to return from Old Trafford with a defeat already under his name and after a promising pre-season, is set to turn to these players to make sure the Blues secure at least a point...
Kepa Arrizabalaga
Chelsea’s undisputed first-choice goalie, having joined from Athletic Bilbao for a remarkable £71.6million last August, will be very keen to shine.
Kepa’s competition with counterpart David De Gea is a sub-plot to this fixture as both are fighting it out to be Spain’s main man between the posts.
The Chelsea man has already looked the part in pre-season, but knows this is when the test truly begins.
Cesar Azpilicueta
Is going to have a key role to play once again this term as captain of the side, let alone as the regular right-back.
By his standards, Azpilicueta wasn’t as consistent as he’d like under Maurizio Sarri, but playing under former team-mate Lampard might give him a new lease of life.
With the possibility of Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial using their pace down Manchester United’s left flank, Azpilicueta’s defensive acumen is going to be key to help out central defence.
Kurt Zouma
Lampard always intended to make Zouma a part of his plans following an impressive loan spell at Everton, although few would have expected the Frenchman to start the first game.
However, Zouma’s form since reporting back at Cobham last month is set to be rewarded, especially following David Luiz’s shock decision to join Arsenal.
His partnership with Andreas Christensen is in its infancy, however an early understanding is clear to see.
Andreas Christensen
The Denmark international is likely to be the main beneficiary of Luiz’s absence this season - he plays with a similar style in that he likes to pass out from the back.
Antonio Rudiger is still working on his fitness following a knee injury sustained while playing against Manchester United four months ago, although one suspects Zouma will be most under threat when the German is available.
Christensen appears far more confident under Lampard, though that will be put to the test this weekend.
Emerson
It is a measure of the left-back’s improvement that Lampard will cause a surprise if he selects Marcos Alonso to play there.
Emerson’s career at Chelsea has been on an upward curve in 2019 and the Brazilian now appears ahead of Alonso in the pecking order.
He is bound to be put to the test defensively at the weekend, but his ability to get forward shouldn’t be underestimated.
Jorginho
Chelsea’s playmaker is already looking more comfortable performing in Lampard’s 4-2-3-1 formation than Sarri’s 4-3-3.
With help next to him, Jorginho has been able to display a bit more of his passing ability in the warm-up games.
However, Manchester United’s midfield are obviously going to put him under greater pressure. The former Napoli star will be key to Chelsea’s attempt to dominate possession.
Mateo Kovacic
Lampard would prefer to have N’Golo Kante in the line-up, but that would represent a major gamble given he has played just 18 minutes of football since the Europa League Final due to a knee injury.
Like Jorginho, Kovacic has been far more effective in Lampard’s system and the understanding with his midfield partner is improving.
The duo have been exposed defensively on the break during pre-season though so both men have to be wary about Manchester United on the counter-attack.
Pedro
Has benefited from his two rivals for the right-wing berth – Willian and Callum Hudson-Odoi - missing all the friendly fixtures due to injury.
Pedro has taken full advantage though. Chelsea will struggle to better his spectacular strike against Red Bull Salzburg last week for their goal of the season.
Against Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men, he is going to have to track back to help Azpilicueta and his battle with Luke Shaw could be key.
Ross Barkley
Chelsea’s star performer under Lampard so far. He goes into the contest full of confidence having scored four goals in as many matches.
Barkley’s passing range is going to be required if Chelsea are going to cause a threat to Manchester United’s new backline.
The England international can fire long balls to Chelsea’s wide players to ensure they spring out of defence as well as create in the final third.
Christian Pulisic
Even if all the wingers were fit, Pulisic would be one of the first names on the team-sheet. Bought from Borussia Dortmund for £57.6m, the USA star wasn’t signed to sit on the bench.
Early signs have been promising. The 20-year-old can run menacingly with the ball and make dangerous runs off it in behind defences.
He will be up against United’s new £50m right back, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, so whoever handles their nerves best on their League debut might make all the difference.
Olivier Giroud
Of all the decisions that will give Lampard most food for thought, this is probably the hardest decision for him to make.
Youngster Tammy Abraham has arguably had the most positive impact of the three strikers in Chelsea’s squad during the warm-up games, but Giroud’s superior ability to hold the ball up is going to be crucial against one of their top-six rivals.
