The Premier League restart is less than one week away but after three months out and plenty to fight for in the run-in, there are a number of questions for Frank Lampard to ponder to ensure a top-four finish and maybe even an FA Cup win.
The Blues return with a trip to Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon.
Here are five of the out standing issues for the head coach to consider in the build-up to that game.
What is the best centre back partnership?
The defence has been rotated constantly throughout the campaign. Since returning from injury Toni Rudiger has looked like first-choice but in a one-off game who is the Germany international paired with?
Kurt Zouma looks most likely at the minute but Andreas Christensen has shaken off doubts over his physicality, while Fikayo Tomori will be chomping at the bit to work his way back in after just one appearance in 2020.
It is important to settle on a familiar partnership for the long-term.
Does Gilmour stay in when Jorginho returns or is Kante the man for the base of midfield?
The young Scot's performances in the final two games before intermission were outstanding but is that enough to keep Jorginho out of the team?
The Italian will be suspended for the Villa game, meaning Gilmour appears favourite to start at the base of midfield.
But that also depends on N'Golo Kante's availability after a late return to full training for personal reasons.
What role will Ruben Loftus-Cheek have?
There had been a reluctance to rush the England midfielder back after so long out but he is now starting from much the same place as his team-mates in terms of fitness.
We could only rely on glimmers of highlights from the two friendlies but he is said to have looked sharp.
Expect to see him in the squad from the off but to what extent is unclear and now down to the head coach, who has plenty of options in midfield.
Does Willian remain first-choice wide man?
It now looks almost certain that the Brazilian will not be signing a new contract beyond this season but he is open to staying to the end of the campaign, requiring a short-term agreement with the deal running out at the end of this month.
But with the possibility of him leaving for a Premier League rival, is he going to be 100% focused in games that must be won?
Lampard has regularly spoken of Willian's professionalism this season but will he continue on the right or is someone else going to get an extra chance to impress?
The suspicion is the former to begin with.
Will Emerson get another go?
The Italy left back has not recovered from being hooked in the first half away to Arsenal, making one appearance since, but recently spoke of his commitment at winning a place back.
He did start the season well and it will be intriguing to see if he gets another opportunity while talk of signing a new left back in the transfer market continues.
