10 Biggest Questions Surrounding Chelsea's Title Bid

Chelsea's Premier League title bid gets underway at Burnley this evening with the Blues having been made favourites by most bookies to lift the trophy next May. With several high profile signings in the bag, including a much-needed new striker in the imposing shape of Diego Costa, the team are certainly looking in good shape to hit the ground running. While Jose Mourinho has a history of outstanding success at the club and a deep squad at his disposal, there are nevertheless some big questions which need answering before we can properly assess whether his team has what it takes to take the title. Being expected to challenge for every major trophy on the domestic and European stage will certainly take its toll and every weakness in Mourinho's squad is sure to be tested from the very beginning, especially with so many players still regaining fitness following rigorous World Cup campaigns. So before placing your bet on the Blues, take a look at the ten biggest unresolved issues ahead of Chelsea kicking off their season. They may change your mind...

10. Will Thibaut Courtois Or Petr Cech Be First Choice Goalkeeper?

No Chelsea fan would ever deny that Petr Cech is a club legend through and through. Upon arriving for a bargain £7 million from Rennes in 2004, the giant Czech keeper kept his place between the sticks throughout the most successful period in the club's history. He has kept a club record 220 clean sheets in all competitions and is only 10 away from having the most in Premier League history, currently standing on 161 to David James' 170 despite having played almost 250 games fewer. Despite his history-making heroics, Cech finds his position under serious threat with the return to the club of Thibaut Courtois. The young Belgian spent the past three years on loan at Atletico Madrid establishing himself as the best young goalkeeper on the planet, making an invaluable contribution towards Los Colchoneros winning La Liga last season and coming runners-up in the Champions League. Courtois only has two years left on his Chelsea contract and has been stalling on signing a new one until being confirmed as Mourinho's first choice for the new season. With Cech also in peak condition, the manager faces a difficult decision as to whether to stick with a club hero who remains one of the world's best, or hand the gloves over to the talented tyro who could take up residence in goal at Stamford Bridge for the next decade at least. For now, signs are pointing to Courtois being the one to get the nod. The Telegraph and the Mail are both reporting that the Belgian will be Mourinho's man this evening, while Cech himself posted a tweet three days ago hinting that he may see his future away from the club. At 32, Cech won't want to spend a season on the bench or only getting appearances in cup games, while Chelsea may see this as their last opportunity to negotiate a serious transfer fee for the player, given he only has two years left on his contract.

With Cech having displaced cult hero Carlo Cudicini when first arriving at the club, he'll have little reason to bear a grudge should Courtois now do the same to him. If this is the season when Big Pete finally departs the Bridge, he'll be waved goodbye with a heavy heart but the love and thanks of every single supporter.