We are back in the Champions League, we are the current Premier League champions and we have a big season ahead of us.

Cesar Azpilicueta has spoken of the importance of pre-season and a better title defence to that of two seasons three seasons ago. Chelsea can simply not afford a repeat of what happened under Jose Mourinho. 

What a difference a couple of weeks makes at Chelsea! Constant speculation of the Managers future, of potential signings and of the immediate futures of some of our most promising youngsters. Step forward to a couple of weeks later and everything has moved on so quickly. The manager has signed a new contract, we have made four signings (three of them impressive with reports of more to follow) and of those youngsters we have seen the club cash in on their talent with it becoming clear that the involvement they are looking for isn't going to come to fruition this season.

This is the summer of big spending with Pep Guardiola breaking the world transfer record so far having spent £230m so far. It's likely to continue with all of the clubs in the Premier League looking to strengthen their squads for the coming season and our rivals for the top four looking to close the considerable gap we had on them looking at the final table at the end of the season.

With pre-season underway and a win and a defeat so far, Cesar Azpilicueta has been speaking of the importance of a good title defence this season and that Chelsea can ill afford a repeat of what happened under Jose Mourinho. He said:

"After being champions three years ago we had a terrible season and we have to learn from this.

We know after being champions of the Premier League, every team we are going to face, they want to win more than before so we know that it is going to be harder.

That is what we are working on in pre-season, to get into the best shape as soon as possible and to fight for it because it is a big challenge.

We are back in the Champions League, we are the current Premier League champions and we have a big season ahead of us."

We have made three strong signings bolstering the options we have in defence with Toni Rudiger, in midfield with Tiemoue Bakayoko and up front with the signing of Alvaro Morata. However, I am excited by reports that Antonio Conte is looking for FOUR more signings to bolster his squad to challenge in all four competitions we take part in this season (Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup and Champions League).

You look at Antonio Conte and what he demands from his players week in, week out both in training and in the games we play, you simply cannot even contemplate that he would settle of anything less than the same this season and will not allow anything to self destruct as it did three years ago.

I will state right now on record. We will NOT suffer the same issues we had back then.