Chelsea emerged in May from the most successful season in their 105 year history.

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The Premier League title was won on the last day of the campaign with a thumping 8-0 win over a hapless Wigan side and meant that the championship was secured with a record tally of 103 goals.

More of the same is now expected from the boys in blue and with all their main goalscorers – Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba, Nicolas Anelka and Florent Malouda scored 73 goals between them in the league last season -  still on the books of the west London club and the possible arrival of Liverpool striker Fernando Torres further bolstering their ranks, putting the ball in the back of net should not be a problem.

One area that certainly does need strengthening though is in midfield.

There have been numerous departures from that part of the squad with manager Carlo Ancelotti choosing to release Michael Ballack, Joe Cole and Juliano Belletti without offering them new terms. Deco is also keen to move back to his birthplace of Brzail and a move is in the offing.

Add to that the permanent transfer away from the club of Slovakia’s Miroslav Stoch after his successful loan spell at FC Twente and the cupboard appears a little bare.

Frank Lampard will no doubt be the hub of the team once again and he will welcome the sight of a fit Michael Essien returning alongside him. John Obi Mikel is still there though Chelsea fans will be hoping to see him develop the promise that he has shown but rarely delivered.

Nemanja Matic is a tall, elegant, young midfielder from Serbia and there are high hopes for Gael Kakuta, the French starlet whose controversial transfer precipitated a FIFA enquiry last season.

But for a sustained assault on the Champions League, Chelsea’s midfield depth looks a bit too thin to achieve their ultimate goal.

One player who is tailor-made for the Blues and the rigours of Premier League football is Bayern Munich’s Bastian Schweinsteiger.

At 25, the Germany midfielder is one of the most complete midfielders around, capable of crafting openings, rugged tackling, distributing sensibly and possessing an eye for goal when it matters.

He has also shown himself to be more than capable of filling Michael Ballack's shoes which he did particularly well during the World Cup in South Africa. 

Having had a tremendous season with both his club and country, Schweinsteiger won’t come cheap and Roman Abramovich could expect to pay around £25m for his services.

But in terms of the necessities of the team as well as future resale value he represents a more intelligent piece of business than the pursuit of Torres.

Chelsea’s only major bit of business during the close season has been the arrival of Yossi Benayoun from Liverpool for £6m so expect at least one major signing before the transfer window closes.

Who it will be remains to be seen.