Chelsea were in structural disarray at the end of last season. Three managers, half a billion spent, and directionless decision-making from the new owner, Todd Boehly.

Since the close of the 2022-23 campaign, the Blues have been on a rebuilding mission. Mauricio Pochettino was appointed head coach, and a clear-out process was undertaken, whereby the hoarding of talent was trimmed leading to 12 senior faces departing Stamford Bridge, as well as a solid attempt at balancing the books.

Strengthening in all the right places, with additional fresh faces still yet to come in, the West Londoners are going into the new season with a glint of optimism and will be beginning the new Premier League season in much finer fettle than they’d left the preceding campaign.

For the first time in 11 years, the Bridge won’t play host to the iconic, Cesar Azpilicueta next season, with the Blues captain heading back to Spain to link up with Diego Simeone and Atletico Madrid.

With that in mind, a key question on many a Chelsea fan’s lips is “who will our captain be next season?”, and with several options in reserve for Pochettino, who will the Argentine go for come the opening day showdown with Liverpool?

All statistics included are according to Transfermarkt unless stated otherwise.

Thiago Silva

A glaringly obvious selection would, of course, be veteran defender, Thiago Silva. The Brazilian is entering his third season in West London and has quickly become a fan’s favourite.

A shining light during last season’s dismal efforts, the Brazil international earned himself a contract extension. The imposing centre-half once broke the record for the world’s most expensive defender when signing for PSG back in 2012, and that isn’t the only record he has held, during his eight-year stay in the French capital, Silva would become the club’s longest-serving captain ever, so his previous experience certainly aligns with what Chelsea and Pochettino could be after.

A dominant aerial fixture and like every Brazilian, brilliant with his feet, the seasoned central defender who has skippered both club and country could land the armband next term, especially if his new Argentine boss is happy with a short-term solution.

Raheem Sterling

Raheem Sterling’s first season at Stamford Bridge was a forgettable one both as a collective and on a personal note. The England international who moved down to London from Manchester City for £50 million last summer nabbed just six goals all season in the league and struggled with a recurring hamstring issue. His

The 28-year-old, who has captained England on several occasions will be hoping he can reignite his form going into the new season, and although he has only been at the club for a year, he could turn Pochettino’s head towards him, with his vast portfolio of accolades, and experience as a captain, albeit relatively minor.

As an ardent ambassador and advocate of anti-discrimination, Sterling has regularly proved he can stand up and be counted, a glowing attribute that could also translate on the pitch.

With Euro 2024 in the rearview mirror, Sterling will be hoping he can deliver displays worthy of a Southgate call-up, and what better way to capture the attention of the Three Lions boss than by captaining his club side?

Ben Chilwell

Chelsea’s clear plan of investing in young talent means that they’ll be a squad deficient in a high level of senior experience, and while the Blues faithful will be hoping that doesn’t prove detrimental to their top-four hopes next term, players like Ben Chilwell will be paramount in setting a precedent for the younger members of the squad to follow.

The former Leicester left-back is a more senior member of the current roster, and at 26 will be expected to lead by example. Like teammates, Reece James and Raheem Sterling, the fullback will be eyeing a spot on that England plane heading to Germany for Euro 2024 next summer.

Since his arrival at Stamford Bridge in the 2020 summer transfer window, the Foxes youth player has played under four different bosses and has already missed over a year of football due to injury, but with a clean bill of health heading into pre-season and a new manager at the helm, Chilwell will be hoping for some much-needed stability, and with that could come the revered status of Chelsea captain.

Enzo Fernandez

An entry that could certainly surprise a few people is Argentinian midfield maestro, Enzo Fernandez. The former record Premier League signing only joined the Blues last season from Benfica, and at 22 it could certainly be argued that his lack of experience outweighs his credentials as a captain.

However, with Reece James being made captain, and only being a year older than him, exploiting the Avenue of young talent coming through in West London is clearly the direction Mauricio Pochettino and Todd Boehly are mutually wanting to head in.

With that in mind, Hernandez’s tender years may help rather than hinder his suitability for the Chelsea captaincy. The deep-lying playmaker sets a supreme example while on the pitch, having already demonstrated glimpses of why he commanded such a fee in the first place.

Possessing the ability to essentially dictate a game through varied passing, and picking up key positions both offensively and defensively could make him the ideal candidate to take over in James’ absence.

Conor Gallagher

Like Reece James, Conor Gallagher has been on the books in West London since he was a kid. Chelsea is more or less, everything the centre midfielder has known, with the club having been a part of his life for over 15 years. Now 23, the creative midfielder is entering his second full season in the Blue shirts of the Pensioners, as a fully-fledged member of the first team and one of few remaining Academy alumni.

After announcing himself and his talents to the world while on loan Crystal Palace during the 2021-22 campaign, Gallagher was given his chance by Thomas Tuchel, and has been an ever-present member of the squad since.

Playing in 45 games in all competitions last term, with his imaginative vision, and capacity to produce flashes of brilliance whether it be via a delicately executed through ball or a well-taken finish, like his midfield counterpart, Fernandez, Gallagher is arguably, in the ideal stage of his career as far as his new boss is concerned to assume control of the armband.