Last season, Chelsea FC finished third in the Premier League, and fell one game short of a highly unlikely Champions League final appearance, all without an in-form striker.
The misfiring Fernando Torres, Demba Ba and Samuel Eto’o combined for just 19 Premier League goals last season. Midfield star Eden Hazard top scored with 14 goals.
At Liverpool, Luis Suarez scored 31 goals for his club as they fell just short of a first Premier League title, and first championship since 1990. His strike partner Daniel Sturridge scored 21.
Hazard, Oscar, Torres and co. managed just 71 goals, more than 30 behind the two teams above them, Liverpool and Man City. Jose Mourinho’s brilliant tactics and the EPL’s stingiest defence could only take them so far. Without a firing marksman, Chelsea were always going to be at a disadvantage.
Cue the arrival of Atletico Madrid’s top goal scorer Diego Costa.
Costa’s 27 goals in 35 games last season helped his club to the most unlikely of Spanish title wins, and to within a few minutes of a famous Champion’s League victory. Although it’s speculation, Costa could have provided a serious threat in the final had he not been forced off very early in the game through injury.
Costa’s arrival provides a vital piece in the Chelsea puzzle as they aim to regain the title they last won in 2009/2010.
Joining Costa at Stamford Bridge in 2014 is former Arsenal legend Cesc Fabregas and Croatian midfielder Mario Pasalic. They are expected to be joined by fellow Atletico star Filipe Luis, who may have completed his transfer by the time you read this.
Also returning to the squad are Thibaut Courtois, Romelu Lukaku and Victor Moses. It will be interesting to see what role, if any, these three play after impressing on loan last season.
Costa’s arrival, and the form of World Cup winner Andre Schurrle, give Chelsea two attacking options they sorely missed in the last campaign.
Hazard is arguably the best attacking midfielder in the Premier League, and with Costa leading the line, his influence is set to increase.
Chelsea have shown great ambition in the transfer market, and hope to succeed with an unlikely big-money bid for Juventus and World Cup superstar Paul Pogba.
They will go into 2014/2015 as favourites, along with Manchester City, and with their 32 million pound man they may finally have the artillery to return to the top.
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