The difference this season is having no post/pre-season UEFA/FIFA competitions, with players returning late & injured.
OK, we've only had a month off & the players will have a relaxed week's training before the CS, but it's more than we've had in any recent season I can remember bar 2020, & that was because of the pandemic.
A lot will also depend on being certain what'll happen with Cancelo, Laporte, Walker & Bernardo. We'll also find out soon enough Pep's plans for Palmer, McAtee & Bobb.
I'm pretty sure we'll have an idea of replacement targets if any of those depart, so we won't really know what we've got to play with for the rest of the season until September 1st.