When Roberto Di Matteo took over as interim manager of Chelsea, the club was in turmoil. He did the prudent thing; the Italian understood the dynamics of the club and put his faith in the seniors.
The elder statesmen of the club repaid that faith by helping the Blues win the FA Cup and the Champions League last season. Fast forward to the new campaign, that euphoria is all in the past.
This summer Chelsea have gone about building a new team capable of playing an attractive style and Di Matteo admitted he is looking forward to the challenge.
"The pressure is always there, whether you have won or not. It's a pressure job," Di Matteo said in an interview to the club's official magazine.
"I think we are all happy with what we achieved last season, but we have to understand that is part of the past now.
"Now, we have to look forward, and there is a lot of excitement. We have a lot of targets and objectives to achieve this season, competitions that are very difficult to qualify for, like the European Super Cup and the World Club Championship.
"It takes a long time to reach those competitions and it's hard to get there, so I'm looking forward to this season with a lot of excitement."
The signings of Eden Hazard, Oscar and Marko Marin has put Di Matteo in a conundrum; in that, unlike last season, the Italian is spoilt for choice when it comes to the attacking midfield/playmaking department.
"I think moving between the lines and rotation can be an attacking threat for us," he said. "We had only Juan Mata playing that role last year, although Raul Meireles played there a few times as well.
"It just gives us more options for the team. It makes us more difficult to be marked and more unpredictable.
"However, we also need width in the game, so it's not just always coming between the lines, it's about giving width to the team as well.
"I think what's most important now is to integrate the new players into the side. Obviously, bringing in players with different abilities and qualities might change the face of our team a little bit as well, but we have to always find the right balance between attacking and defending."
Another target that Chelsea have in mind is Hulk, and the Brazilian admitted he would love to move to Stamford Bridge. "I am very happy. They are the European champions and the best club in Europe at the moment," the 25-year-old told FourFourTwo. "For me, it is a huge achievement that they want me to play for them.
"I want to continue to win trophies. That is what I want to do if I join Chelsea."
Meanwhile, Kevin De Bruyne is closing in on a loan move to German side Werder Bremen. De Bruyne signed for the Blues in January from Genk, but was immediately loaned back to the Belgian club.
With the arrivals of Hazard, Oscar and Marin, it was obvious the attacking midfielder would find it difficult to get a regular game. "We have an interest in the services of Kevin de Bruyne and, of course, we are in talks," Tino Polster, media spokesperson of Werder, told Kicker Sportmagazin.
"Those talks are progressing very well, and we are hopeful to conclude the details soon enough. But by now the deal is not a done deal."
Another youngster Romelu Lukaku is also looking to seal a loan move for the upcoming season.
