Kepa's current squad position perfectly sums up Chelsea disconnect

And then there was one

There's a party at my house - but only strangers have turned up.

That's currently how it feels to be a Chelsea supporter. Much is made of the £600million spent since the Americans rolled up. Something that should fuel excitement and anticipation. It certainly did during Roman Abramovich's first Football Manager style transfer window. 

However, the deals have felt hollow. Fans feel a greater disconnect with the club than they have in decades, and it has nothing to do with the abysmal 12th place finish. Although, that certainly doesn't help matters. Nor did the timid little door mouse that was in the dugout for the majority of last season.

Forget all the damning records that Graham Potter's Chelsea managed to break in terms of points and fewest goals scored. The fact that Kepa is now the longest-serving non-academy developed player at the club perfectly sums up the situation we find ourselves in. The Spanish goalkeeper signed less than five years ago. 

That is not slant on the keeper himself. While often the figure of mockery - it's misplaced by about two years. And some people need to get over themselves. Despite playing behind a fractured team and ever-changing backline, he managed to shine and maintain one of the best save percentages in the Premier League. He was also awarded the save of the season - so Chelsea did, in fact, pick up a piece of silverware this season.

Just over two years ago, the Blues picked up their second Champions League trophy. Virtually that entire squad from the starting XI to the subs bench has been completely disbanded. There are overhauls, and then there is a clearout so outrageous that it should be no surprise that people's heads are spinning.

There's not denying that the squad was bloated and needed a fairly ruthless trim. But this may be a case of throwing the baby out with the bathwater. The players that were brought in were, by and large, selected for their potential. Ones to watch. And while some may rise to the challenge, how many of them are going to be better than the players sold to cover those transfer fees?

Squads always need a refresh - some more than others. Sir Alex Ferguson was infamous for swapping out his stars and even coaches to keep the team moving forward. But there was always a core group that could be built on to help integrate the incoming players. And cult heroes amongst them, that fans could get behind.

The most pressing issue on the pitch is that there isn't really a spine at Chelsea. Insert whatever joke takes your fancy here. Mauricio Pochettino hasn't been given a solid foundation to build on. He's virtually starting from scratch - and with players he has not had a chance to select. In fact, the player that embodied the spirit he will try to impart has been sold off to the red half of Manchester.

For those in the stands, they will do their best to get behind these new players. But without those familiar faces you've grown affection for, someone to gravitate towards - we might find ourselves feeling like that awkward guest in our own house.

Evolution not revolution would have eased the transition for players and fans alike.