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An excellent transfer window puts Chelsea in pole position for the Premier League title.
After going trophy-less in his first season back at Stamford Bridge, Jose Mourinho will be desperate not to repeat the dose in his second year. He was adamant that the squad last time out was insufficient to win the title, but he does not have that excuse this time.
Chelsea have bought brilliantly, the best of any club in the division. They needed a striker, a star midfielder and a proper left-back. They got all three in Diego Costa, Cesc Fabregas and Filipe Luis.
They also managed to sell the inconsistent and unpredictable David Luiz to Paris Saint-Germain for a whopping £50 million ($90 million) to balance the books. Plus, of course, there is the return of legendary Ivorian Didier Drogba.
It could be argued that the Blues should have won the championship in 2013/14, and they would have but for costly slip-ups at Crystal Palace and Aston Villa, as well as at home to Sunderland. The only points they dropped against the other members of the top four was a draw at Arsenal, a remarkable effort.
But with these key additions, an excellent defence led by captain John Terry and the master Mourinho at the helm, trophies are expected at the Bridge.
In
Cesc Fabregas (Barcelona) £27m.
Mario Pasalic (Hajduk Split) £3m.
Diego Costa (Atletico Madrid) £32m.
Filipe Luis (Atletico Madrid) £16m.
Didier Drogba (Galatasaray) Free.
Out
Tomas Kalas (Cologne) Loan.
Ashley Cole (Roma) Free.
Samuel Eto’o Released.
Henrique Hilario Released.
Sam Hutchinson Released.
Frank Lampard (New York City) Free.
Demba Ba (Besiktas) £5m.
Mario Pasalic (Elche) Loan.
Lucas Piazon (Eintracht Frankfurt) Loan.
Patrick van Aanholt (Sunderland) Unknown.
Romelu Lukaku (Everton) £28m.
Ryan Bertrand (Southampton) Loan.
Marquee signing: Diego Costa
For the entirety of last season, Mourinho complained about the lack of firepower in his striking department. But that all changed upon the arrival of Brazilian-born Spaniard Diego Costa. Signed from Atletico Madrid, where he scored 56 goals over two years, Costa has drawn comparisons to Didier Drogba in his pomp.
With Drogba returning to Stamford Bridge, Costa has the perfect role model to further develop his already lethal game. He is physically strong, but doesn’t lack pace and mobility, while also being good in the air. Fiery and combative, the 25-year-old won’t be intimidated by the English game, which was evident in his tussle with John Terry in last season’s Champions League semi-final.
Costa is a massive upgrade on the departed Demba Ba and Samuel Eto’o, and is far superior to Fernando Torres. He is a superb player who may go some way to replacing Luis Suarez as the player opposition fans love to hate, mainly because he is very, very good.
Key man: Eden Hazard
The Belgian playmaker was often left to go it alone last season, as Chelsea lacked the strikers to properly trouble opposition defences. He was also criticised by his manager, and had a poor World Cup. There was also reported interest from PSG, but Eden Hazard is staying in London, and is ready to become a world-class player.
No-one will be happier than the 23-year-old for the arrival of Costa and Fabregas, for they ease the creative pressure on the pitch. Hazard will thrive playing behind such a talented player in Costa. He undoubtedly has all the tools to become elite – pace, eye for a goal and buckets of creativity. Hazard’s biggest flaw is his inconsistency, but as he matures this will come.
Hazard is my early pick for PFA Player of the Year.
It’s a big year for – Thibaut Courtois
He is viewed as the Chelsea’s number one for the next decade, but can Courtois dislodge the vastly experience Petr Cech in goal this season? I’d expect Mourinho to start the campaign with the 22-year-old, but if he has a poor start he’ll be pulled in favour of the Czech quickly.
After multiple years out on loan at Atletico Madrid, Courtois has made it clear that he will not sit on the bench. It seems unlikely at his stage that Cech will be sold, so Courtois will have stiff competition.
Chelsea must handle this situation carefully, as they do not want to frustrate the best young keeper in the world.
Manager pressure: 7/10
Silverware is expected, and no one will put more pressure on Mourinho than the man himself, who prides himself on success. He now has the players he wants and after a season adjusting back into the groove in England, Jose will be keen to add to his burgeoning trophy cabinet.
Headline Chelsea fans want to see: ‘Costa and Drogba in perfect synch.’
Headline Chelsea fans don’t want to see: ‘Torres starts.’
Headline Chelsea fans will see: ‘Nemanja Matic dominates again.’
Prediction: First
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