Chelsea Premier League Preview 2013/14
Chelsea The return of the Special/Happy one has left Chelsea fans licking their lips at the prospect of a return to the glory days associated with the suave Portugeezer. On the transfer front, Chelsea have added Schurrle, Van Ginkel and Schwarzer, while De Bruyne and Lukaku return to the club following loan spells last season. The Wayne Rooney transfer saga looks set to run through until the end of the window, with Chelsea reported to have upped their offer to £30 million, while United are standing firm and insisting he is not for sale at any price. The Premier League that Mourinho left is very different to the one which he now finds himself in, with no Fergie to do battle with and a new breed of managers at the top clubs. In terms of what he has at his disposal at the Bridge, in many ways it will be like putting on an old pair of slippers with Cole, Lampard and Terry still very much the heartbeat of the football club. Mourinho has shown in his stints at Inter Milan and Real Madrid, that he has no respect for reputation, with Iker Casillas a notable example. As a result, no Chelsea player will be able to rest on their laurels and they will all be pushed to maximise their potential. The Blues continue to look defensively solid, and now have additional options going forward. Juan Mata and Eden Hazard were sensational last season and expect them to continue in the same vain. One of the problem areas for Chelsea in recent seasons has been the sole strikers role. It will be interesting to see if Jose can succeed where others have failed, in getting the best out of Fernando Torres. Demba Ba will be keen to improve on an average start to his Chelsea career and Romelu Lukaku will be looking to show that he can hold down a place in the side, with early comparisons to Chelsea legend, Didier Drogba. Lukaku could be the one to watch next season if he is given game time. He proved a real handful for West Brom last season and finished with an impressive 17 goals. With Mourinho adamant that he will not be loaned out again this season, he seems sure to play some part, and his pace, power and eye for goal could be key in the pursuit of silverware. Although Mata reaped many goals, assists and plaudits last season, Eden Hazard showed enough in his first season to suggest that he could be one to watch this season and could be ready to outshine his Spanish counterpart. Having adapted to the English game with consumate ease, the silky Belgian will be encouraged by Mourinho to add more steel and graft to his guile and craft. Chelsea are favourites for the title with many bookmakers, and it could well be a three way battle with the Manchester clubs for supremacy. Mourinho's new Chelsea will be there or thereabouts, but I see them as a work in progress. Much may depend on the arrival of Rooney, but with some players coming to the end of their time in the top flight, I think they may have to settle for 3rd place, with decent domestic and European Cup runs as a consolation. Player to watch - Eden Hazard Premier League position - 3rd