When the Premiership season concluded on May 7, many people (myself included) were commenting how next season will be a four horse race instead of two. Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United are worthy contenders for the 2006/2007 title.

How quickly things change. With Chelsea’s acquisition of Shevchenko and Ballack, the west London outfit has raised the bar without even kicking a ball. For Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool to compete against such class is a very tall order.

Of course, the season isn’t over before it’s even started. But if Mourinho can slot the Ukrainian and German into his team and improve on last year’s performance, then Chelsea will be even tougher to defeat. The real question for Chelsea is whether they have what it takes to win the Champions League.