Chelsea are flying at the top of the Premier League after a disastrous campaign last time out. The Blues, under the guise of new manager Antonio Conte, sit eight points clear of Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City and, barring a monumental foul-up, should be walking to the title for the second time in three years.

A lack of European football, whilst giving them an advantage in the league, also means that those behind the scenes at the club have more time on their hands to plan for things going forward.

One question that has been raised recently is the mentality within the club to build on their success from this season next time out, having miraculously fallen from grace last term, going from champions to a tenth placed finish whilst also being knocked out of the Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain in the first knockout round.

One thing that the technical staff are beginning to work on behind the scenes at Chelsea is the implementation of some key figures within the club as part of the day-to-day workings on the training ground. Having retired earlier this month, club legend Frank Lampard has returned to the Cobham training ground to work on his coaching badges, whilst captain John Terry continues to study within the club as his on the pitch role dwindles with Conte ushering in a new era of playing staff.

Furthermore, 2012 Champions League winner Ashley Cole, who continues to ply his trade in the MLS, has revealed that he is swotting up on his knowledge ahead of a career on the other side of football.

The former England international posted on Instagram revealing his notes, all done on Chelsea branded tactical sheets, and has made it very clear where he would like to make his first steps into the world of scouting.

Should Cole, the former Roma player, join his former teammates in the background at Chelsea, Conte would have a trio of prime examples to point to should, going forward, there be any issues with the attitude or application of his squad to give them a reminder of what makes a successful Chelsea player and, thus, what is expected of them.

The club must be careful with how much responsibility they give their former players, they can’t go full Manchester United and just give them a job regardless. However, with the combination of Conte’s passion and the Stamford Bridge experience of the likes of Terry, Lampard and Cole there would be little room for error going forward, meaning a great spell of success could be on the cards in west London.