Major signings and departures at Chelsea

Major ins: Pedro, Asmir Begovic, Radamel Falcao, Baba Rahman, Nathan, Kenedy, Papy Djilobodji, Michael Hector

Major outs: Petr Cech, Filipe Luis, Juan Cuadrado, Marco van Ginkel, Didier Drogba, Oriol Romeu, Christian Atsu, Patrick Bamford, Nathan Ake, Lucas Piazon

The positives: top-quality cover for Thibaut Courtois without the immediate prospect of bench-related frustration, a promising young left-back, the joy of gazumping Manchester United for a player who has all the tools to be a big hit in the Premier League.

The negatives: Jose Mourinho’s striking options will look a bit light if Diego Costa’s hamstrings keep playing up, plus Cesc Fabregas’ wavering form could make an all-action midfielder (cough cough Paul Pogba cough) a priority in the near future.

Then there was the failure to land John Stones, a player they courted in public but failed to get. The difference to last season, when they landed every one of their targets in super-quick time, is vast.