So far, so predictable for Chelsea. Three games played, three wins and not even the first murmurings of discontent that coach Roberto di Matteo might not the right man to lead the Blues.
The west London club got off to the easiest of starts in the new Premier League campaign, kicking off against a toothless Wigan on the opening day of the season.
It took Belgian wunderkind Eden Hazard all of two minutes to make an instant impact on his Premier League debut, swivelling in midfield before releasing a marauding Branislav Ivanovic to crash home the opener.
After four stellar seasons at French club Lille, Hazard linked up with the Blues over the summer along with German attacking talent Marko Marin and Brazilian youngster Oscar, but it’s Hazard who is the undoubted jewel in the transfer crown.
Already compared by some to the great Gianfranco Zola, the fleet-footed Hazard has won two penalties, converted another spot-kick and set up a raft of opportunities for a rejuvenated Fernando Torres in his three league appearances to date.
Categorised by some pundits before the season as a risky signing, Hazard has already proved to be a shrewd acquisition for the Blues.
That’s particularly the case if continues to link up with a Torres looking leaner and meaner up front than at arguably any other stage of his Chelsea career.
The former Atletico Madrid and Liverpool star has always been a fits and spurts kind of player but with Didier Drogba no longer the main man up front, Torres looks ominous with goals in each of his past two games.
He won’t have been thrilled with the recent signing of former Wigan striker Victor Moses, but having collected the Golden Boot at Euro 2012, Torres is looking to put a couple of frustrating years behind him to replicate the form which once made him one of the world’s most dangerous strikers.
With the personnel at their disposal there’s no reason Chelsea shouldn’t nab at least a top-four finish again this season, even if several of their most talismanic stars – think Petr Cech, Ashley Cole, John Terry, Frank Lampard – are well and truly getting on in years.
But perhaps the biggest question surrounding the Stamford Bridge side is over coach di Matteo.
The former Italian international took over from the departed Andre Villas-Boas midway through last season and promptly steered the Blues to an unexpected FA Cup and UEFA Champions League double.
But his first full season in charge is likely to be much tougher, particularly now that the honeymoon period is over as far as trigger-happy owner Roman Abramovich is concerned.
Chelsea’s first real Premier League test comes against London rivals Arsenal at the end of next month and di Matteo will be eager to prove himself against the Gunners’ venerated tactician Arsene Wenger.
There’s also a tasty little trip to local rivals Queens Park Rangers next time out, where Terry will face the man who accused him of using a racial slur last season, QPR defender Anton Ferdinand.
It will be interesting to see if Terry is snubbed in the pre-match handshake stakes by Ferdinand following their bitter and acrimonious legal dispute.
And with Manchester United – and Anton’s brother Rio – also looming on the immediate horizon, the Blues will be keen to keep cool heads in a couple of fiery upcoming fixtures.
But on the whole it’s been a positive start for the three-time Premier League winners , who may just have uncovered a new superstar in the form of Eden Hazard.
Swampy
Guest
If I was Arsenal, Newcastle, Spurs or Liverpool - id be seriously concerned there is only one champions league spot available this season. And Swansea have their eyes on it. Now that would be a story. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Beyond the Byline
Guest
I thought the team played really well in the 4-3-3 they had going against Newcastle, with Mikel central in front of the back four, Meireles and Bertrand to his right and left, and the front three of Hazard, Torres and Mata. It's interesting because their 4-3-3 under AVB was shocking. I would still like to see them get a bit faster through the midfield. The Lampard/Mikel combination can be pretty slow at times when they're in the 4-2-3-1. It would be interesting to see Ramires get a shot where Lampard plays, a bit deeper next to Mikel. He seems to be better box-to-box than wide right, and Mikel is barely getting into the final third, so there's always cover there. The addition of Moses is good. A semi-striker who plays really wide, which Chelsea need to do now they can't hoist long balls to Drogba. Marin hasn't played a game in the EPL yet either, so it will be good to see how he fits in. It's hard to tell if they can challenge for the title after only three matches (although three wins helps!), but they are already playing different football. Maybe they can go for the jugular a little better, they looked shaky against Wigan towards the end.
HarryBalding
Roar Guru
I really hope Hazard can keep up this form! He's been the one player over the opening weekends who has just looked a cut above everyone else on the field. He has so much time on the ball, rarely misplaces a pass and he just has the knack of making things happen in the final third, which Chelsea hasn't really had since Lampard was at his best in 06/07. Hazard, Mata, Lampard, Ramires, Oscar...I think Chelsea now has the most potent midfield in the EPL. Not to mention Mikel, Essien and Meireles who are guaranteed starting 11 players at almost any other club. Manchester City have proven performers in Nasri, Silva, Toure and co, but frankly I'm much more excited by what I'm seeing from the west Londoners at the moment. I think from Chelsea's point of view you have to have Mikel, Essien or Lampard (or a combination of two) sitting in that deep-midfield role. With the 'nippy' creative midfielders being on the small side, they'll need the strength and control that they offer.
John
Guest
A somewhat bold call, but if Torres, who admittedly is one of my favourite players, manages to find real form with the support of Hazard, Chelsea will win the EPL. Heard it here first!
Bondy.
Guest
I think Chelsea arent as direct as much and may play just outside the 18 yrd box more and more patiently this season, a one out man isnt the best solution for entertaining football for Abramovich what should also be remembered is chelsea always get off to a flyer and then halfway through a season get dogged by another Terry saga,so only two months to wait. I have to mention i've never seen studmarks like that ever on Rooney i've had a few in my day and seen plenty but nothing as vicious as that amazing. I know its early days but I think the overall speed and attacking play of the smaller clubs in the EPL lke Swansea and Fullham have improved and I think Man Utd were a tad lucky on the weekend although dominating the game with possesion. I think Wenger listening to he's interview has almost conceeded fourth place "long year" 180 minutes of football and no goal produced from an arsenal team ,they miss RVP already three points would be in the bag by now. I think Modric's price is over the mark by about $6 million pound ,got him at about $28 mill.