Every football fan dreams of taking their club to success on Football Manager, and FM27 is no different, with Chelsea supporters hoping to lead the Blues to another period of glory.

The latest version of the game is set to be released on 10 November, but Sports Interactive has given fans the chance to get an early taste through a free PC testing period.

Whether you are the type of manager to put on a suit for FA Cup final day, secure European qualification or simply bring your favourite players to Stamford Bridge, there are plenty of ways to approach a Chelsea save. Here's what you can expect when choosing the Blues as your starting club.

Expectations

Many people tipped Chelsea to qualify for the Champions League this season, and with the talent available in the squad, you can see Xabi Alonso making that happen.

However, the board in FM27 does not share quite the same ambitions as the club's real-life supporters, with Chelsea only expected to secure Europa League qualification for the following season.

Of course, a discussion with the board can change those expectations, allowing you to set Champions League qualification as a target. However, doing so comes with added pressure and the risk of losing your job if you fail to deliver.

Budget

Chelsea's transfer budget is relatively healthy in the game, largely thanks to Enzo Fernandez's sale on deadline day. The Blues have the fourth-largest budget, with only Arsenal, Brighton and Bournemouth having more than Chelsea's £54 million to spend as they please.

A little adjustment to the wage and transfer budgets can increase that figure to £63 million, potentially opening the door to signing a higher-calibre midfielder or defender, depending on which area you choose to strengthen.

If you can keep your job for at least a season, you will also get an idea of the minimum budget available for the following campaign, with a further £42 million to spend.

Players

The player rankings in the game seem a little questionable, with Wesley Fofana rated as Chelsea's third-best player, behind only Cole Palmer and Reece James. I have no complaints about the top two, but having Mr Nonchalant in third place feels more like a computer-generated decision than a realistic assessment.

In terms of transfer interest, Malo Gusto is being targeted for loan moves by several European clubs, while Manchester United are interested in Jamie Gittens, alongside other Premier League sides considering loan deals.

These are potentially important situations to manage during pre-season, whether you decide to keep players for squad depth or use their departures to bring in additional transfer funds.