Chelsea were always set to face a challenge next season as they intend to become the first side this decade to defend their Premier League crown and the fixture scheduling has put the odds firmly stacked against Antonio Conte’s side.

The Blues will be tested by the return to Champions League football, which is set to make things difficult ahead of a World Cup year where fixtures are a lot more congested, and the fact Chelsea’s squad lacks significant depth is a concern.

Conte’s side begin the defence of their Premier League title at home against Burnley, a favourable game, but fixtures with Tottenham (A), Everton (H), Leicester City (A), Arsenal (H), Stoke City (A) and Manchester City at home see the Blues edge towards the international break at the start of October with a testing run.

The Blues could certainly see themselves drop points in a handful of their opening seven matches, which would hand their title rivals the chance to extend an advantage over the Blues. However, it is worth mentioning Conte’s side bounced back from a woeful start last year.

Chelsea’s four games across eight days during the festive season are also set to be difficult, as the Blues travel to both Everton and Arsenal either side of home clashes against Brighton and Stoke between Christmas and New Year.

Fortunately, the Blues do have a much kinder run-in as they tackle the likes of West Ham, Southampton, Huddersfield, Swansea and Newcastle but they do face a tricky trip to Anfield on the penultimate day of the Premier League season.

Things for the Blues are made all the more difficult by the fact Conte’s side will have to tackle a fellow top-six side in four of their six games after Champions League clashes, which again shows the Premier League doesn’t help their clubs involved in European competition.

Chelsea always had the odds stacked against them when it came to defending their Premier League title, as their rivals are set to spend heavily, but the fixture scheduling means the Blues need to brace themselves for an extremely difficult campaign.

Conte impressed in his debut season in the Premier League but he has a huge test to avoid second-season syndrome, especially as Roman Abramovich is hardly known for his patience and could threaten to drop the axe if things don’t go smoothly.