The moment referee Kevin Friend blew his whistle in Sunday’s 1-0 win over Crystal Palace to confirm Chelsea’s Premier League title win, manager Jose Mourinho, the serial winner, would have already been thinking about next season and what he needs to match the success.

Two of last summer’s recruits Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas played significant roles in bringing the trophy back to Stamford Bridge for the first time since 2010, and Mourinho will now look to bolster his squad further to improve the chances of back-to-back titles.

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By virtue of the fact that 13 points separate Chelsea from Manchester City and Arsenal in joint second, with Manchester United five points further back in fourth, the Blues’ rivals are almost certain to spend big as they look to bridge the gap next season.

Here, The Shed Ender looks at five players Chelsea could sign to stay ahead of the game.

Click Gareth Bale to read our list:

Gareth Bale

Within two years, Bale has gone from being the world’s most expensive footballer to being booed by Real Madrid fans in what has proven a mixed second season in the Spanish capital.

Consequence of the vitriol, speculation has mounted that a return to England is on the cards, with Chelsea reportedly lining up a £70 million swoop for the Welshman – who fetched £86m when joining Los Blancos from Tottenham in 2013.

It remains to be seen how realistic this rumour is, but Chelsea have the finances and star power to attract such a high-profile figure and signing him would come as a huge blow to their rivals’ chances of knocking the Blues off their perch in the summer.

Paul Pogba

The Juventus midfielder has emerged as one of Europe’s hottest properties since leaving Manchester United on a free transfer in 2012, and speculation has mounted that Chelsea are among the clubs keen to lure him from Turin this summer.

With great ability comes a lofty pricetag, but a £200 million deal with shirt sponsor Yokohama has enabled Jose Mourinho to spend big in the summer whilst complying with Fianancial Fair Play regulations.

Oscar has been linked with a switch to Juve after enduring a dismal second half of the season and, should their interest be genuine, don’t rule out Mourinho using the Brazilian – who he has previously criticised – as a makeweight in a move for Pogba.

Mauro Icardi

By virtue of the fact that he has netted 18 times for Inter Milan this season, it would be safe to say that Mauro Icardi has announced himself to Europe. It has been a prolific breakthrough season for the 22-year-old striker, who has reportedly delayed contract negotiations amid speculation that the Blues have lodged a £22m bid.

With Didier Drogba coming to the end of his contract, recruiting a striker is on the cards this summer and Mourinho may opt for Icardi to compete with Diego Costa and Loic Remy next term.

Koke

Speculation is rife that Chelsea are in talks to sign Atletico Madrid midfielder Koke for a reported £30 million.

His buyout clause at the Vicente Calderon is rumoured to be £44 million but Mourinho will throw unsettled left-back Filipe Luis – who left Atletico last summer – into the deal after struggling in his first season at Stamford Bridge.

Signing Koke would allow Cesc Fabregas to operate in a more advanced role behind the striker, while Koke sits in front of Nemanja Matic in defensive midfield. The Spaniard is thought to be considered an alternative to Pogba.

Raphael Varane

This is another rumour that seems to have legs, with Varane emerging at Real Madrid during Mourinho’s tenure.

As much as we would like him to, John Terry, at 34, cannot sustain his brilliant level of performances for too much longer and 22-year-old Varane has been touted as the ideal replacement.

Like the four other player in this list, Varane would not come cheap, with £35m the figure in question, but that price may look a bargain in the coming years if the centre-back fulfills his promise.

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