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With a brand new campaign under way and the summer transfer window shut, some have departed or slipped, while others have grown in importance. Here's Antonio Conte's revised list of crucial performers.
This list is not extensive and has been ranked according to varying factors. Some players still with a part to play, like Kenedy, have been omitted. And there are some notable names missing too -- more on them later.
Performance, potential, the ability to make an impact and influence the course of a game, other options in that area of the field, the ability or inability to replace them and market value have all played a part in revising the 15.
1. N'Golo Kante (no change)
It may be some time before we see Tiemoue Bakayoko in full flow and Cesc Fabregas is defensively limited, meaning Kante's energy and intelligence will be crucial regardless of who he is paired with. He should also help former Leicester City teammate Danny Drinkwater settle quickly at Stamford Bridge.
2. Eden Hazard (+3)
Diego Costa's exile means Hazard is now Chelsea's most reliable match winner as well as their most talented player. Conte's men may not have struggled for goals without him in their opening three Premier League matches, but they know they will need their superstar back for the tougher challenges that lie ahead.
3. Alvaro Morata (new entry)
Conte's new "point of reference" is still adapting to the physical demands of the Premier League as well as his coach's tactical requirements, though he has made a positive start. Chelsea need him to be an elite No.9 if they are to have any hope of meeting their Premier League and Champions League ambitions.
4. Marcos Alonso (+4)
Chelsea's failure to prise Alex Sandro from Juventus has heightened Alonso's importance to the success of Conte's 3-4-3 system. Kenedy is the only player in the squad with a similar skill set, and he is not in the same class. Then there are the Spaniard's stunning free kicks, and his knack for scoring key goals.
5. Cesar Azpilicueta (-1)
Now vice-captain at Stamford Bridge, Azpilicueta has embraced a leadership role and remains invaluable on the pitch, courtesy of his reliability and consistency anywhere across Conte's backline. Deadline day signing Davide Zappacosta may also appreciate his positional guidance as much as Victor Moses did last season.
6. David Luiz (-4)
Still a defender quite unlike any other, though Andreas Christensen's return from loan means Conte now has another ball-playing defender who can step in for Luiz if needed. The Brazilian won't be easy to displace, though, having silenced his critics with a career-best season and emerged as a dressing-room leader.
7. Thibaut Courtois (no change)
Conte would prefer Courtois to enjoy as many quiet days as possible this season, but having the Belgian as a last line of defence must be a powerful source of reassurance. He is well protected but generally delivers when called upon, foiling Harry Kane a couple of times at Wembley last month.
8. Cesc Fabregas (+2)
Chelsea need someone to provide the imagination within Conte's structure, and Fabregas sees passes no one else in this squad does. The Spain international registered more assists (12) in the Premier League than any other Blues player last season despite starting just 13 games. As long as Hazard is out, he's even more vital.
9. Pedro Rodriguez (no change)
His start to the season disrupted by facial fractures and an ankle knock, Pedro is yet to score but his protective face mask didn't appear to inhibit him in the 2-0 win against Everton. The former Barcelona man's darting runs and lethal finishing provide balance for Conte's front three, and he can lessen the scoring burden on Morata.
10. Willian (+3)
A maligned figure among some Chelsea supporters, the Brazilian reminded everyone of his quality with an excellent performance supporting Morata against Tottenham. He still doesn't score enough goals, but with Hazard out he is the only attacker Conte has who can frequently dribble beyond defenders.
11. Gary Cahill (-5)
Suspended for his brainless red card on the opening day against Burnley, Cahill's enforced absence has allowed others to show the defensive quality that lies beyond Chelsea's starting XI. The England international's status has deservedly grown with the captaincy, but his place in the team is less secure than ever.
12. Tiemoue Bakayoko (new entry)
A promising debut against Tottenham when well short of full fitness suggests Bakayoko will climb this list before too long. He already looks more dynamic with and without the ball than the departed Nemanja Matic, and playing with countryman Kante regularly should put him in the ideal position to grow.
13. Michy Batshuayi (new entry)
A promising preseason has allowed Batshuayi to gain a little more of Conte's trust, but not enough to prevent the Italian from pushing Chelsea hard to sign Fernando Llorente this summer. Doubts remain over the 23-year-old's suitability as a lone striker but he is the only cover for Morata -- at least until January.
14. Andreas Christensen (new entry)
Plunged into a bad situation from the substitutes' bench against Burnley, Christensen looked impressively assured against Tottenham at Wembley and has done enough since returning from a two-year spell at Borussia Monchengladbach to convince Conte that he is "ready to play for Chelsea".
15. Victor Moses (-3)
Zappacosta's arrival from Torino presents Moses with the first genuine competition he has encountered since transforming from a nomadic Premier League winger into a swashbuckling wing-back. Across all competitions there should be enough minutes to go around, but his position is no longer assured.
Summer signings Antonio Rudiger, Drinkwater, Zappacosta and Willy Caballero are missing from the list. This should not reflect badly on them; it is more a sign that much of Chelsea's transfer activity this summer was filling out around the edges of a title-winning core, rather than major upgrades.
