Chelsea 2012-13 Odds

With the 2012-13 Premier League season less than a fortnight away, Chelsea are busy eyeing two more signings before concluding their latest summer spending spree, chief executive Ron Gourlay has confirmed.

The Blues have done anything but rest on their laurels after their astonishing first Champions Legaue triumph, splashing out almost £70million on the likes of Eden Hazard, Oscar and Marko Marin.

Brazilian midfielder Oscar, 20, joined Roberto Di Matteo’s side this summer for £25m from Internacionale. He gives the Blues more midfield options for the new season alongside Hazard and Marin while Chelsea also signed Hazard’s brother Torgen.

But they are not done there, having had bids turned down for other attacking players – including Wigan’s Victor Moses – as well as being heavily linked with Marseille right-back Cesar Azpilicueta.

Speaking at the end of the European champions’ US tour, Gourlay said: “While we ended with a very strong season, it was clear that there were some areas where we did have to strengthen, so we knew we were always going to have to do that.

“If the right players become available at the right time, we will sign them. We’ve done that and we are still continuing to look at one or two positions and we will see how that develops over the next couple of weeks.”

Chelsea’s billionaire owner, Roman Abramovich, was a visible presence in America during the past fortnight and Gourlay added: “Internationally, we have grown and grown in the last four years and I wanted him to be here to see just how his club has developed.”

Last year’s Champions League winners are 12/1 to repeat that in 2013. Barcelona as the 11/4 favourites, with Real Madrid (7/2), Manchester duo City (6/1) and United at 9/1 are ahead of the London side in the betting with last year’s beaten finalists Bayern Munich next best at 14/1.

The Blues’ will start their new season on August 12 when they face Premier League Champions City in the FA Community Shield. Di Matteo’s side are 15/8 to win, with City the 6/5 match favourites. The draw after 90 minutes is priced 9/4.

Chelsea are 6/1 to win the 2013 FA Cup and are currently trading at 7′s with Ladbrokes for the Capital One Cup.

The Blues are 9/2 behind Manchester’s City (6/5 favourites) and United (5/2) to win the title next season. They start their league campaign on August 19 with a trip to the DW Stadium to face Wigan Athletic.