A Chelsea team that finished fourth last term and won the Conference League has been strengthened by a £250m summer spending spree. The Blues spent almost £200m on the signings of Joao Pedro, Jamie Gittens, Jorrel Hato and Liam Delap, while bolstering Enzo Maresca’s squad with a number of other additions.

Arne Slot has told his Liverpool players to get used to having a target on their back as they look to replicate their Premier League dominance of last season. Slot's side launch the defence of the crown they claimed with such distinction and authority in May with a tricky-looking visit by Bournemouth in the top flight's season curtain-raiser.