Last Season: 3rd Manager: Jose Mourinho Opening Fixture: Burnley (a) Transfer Activity: Chelsea have done their business early in the transfer market this summer, brining in four quality players before the end of July. Cesc Fabregas (Barcelona) was the first of those, signing prior to the start of the World Cup to replace club legend Frank Lampard who left for New York City (although eventually went on to sign for title rivals Man City on loan). Fabregas' international teammate Diego Costa (Atletico Madrid) was then brought in too, along with his club-mate Filipe Luis. Finally, Didier Drogba (Galatasaray) was brought back to the club after two seasons away and although he may not possess the pace and power of before, how Blues fans are glad to see him back! There have been several other high-profile departures from the club this summer including Ashley Cole, Demba Ba, Romelu Lukaku, Samuel Eto'o and David Luiz, for who Paris Saint-Germain paid £50million... yes, £50million. Other players to have left Stamford Bridge either permanently or on loan include Hilario, Jhon Pirez, Sam Hutchinson, Patrick Van Aanholt, Milan Lalkovic, Tomas Kalas, Wallace, Cristian Cuevas, Thorgan Hazard, Bertrand Traore, Ryan Bertrand, Lucas Piazon, Oriol Romeu and Kenneth Omeruo. Possible Staring XI: Courtois; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Matic, Ramires; Willian, Fabregas, Hazard; Costa Key Player: Diego Costa Verdict: Chelsea have a frightening array of options all over the pitch next season, take the goalkeeping dilemma that Jose Mourinho has for example. Does he stick with Petr Cech, the 'keeper who only four months ago was named in the PFA Team of the Year and who Mourinho has previously described as "the best"? Or does he go with Thibaut Courtois, somebody who is widely regarded as one of the best young goalkeepers in the world and won a Spanish league title with Atletico Madrid last season? Take Chelsea's attacking midfield options as another example - the likes of Fabregas, Schurrle, Salah, Oscar, Willan and Hazard. The Blues truly have a world class squad capable of competing with any team in the world, but then again so do Man City and Arsenal, perhaps. So what makes Chelsea different? Mourinho, is the answer. A tactical genius who, with a world class striker, would surely have won the Premier League last season. He has that striker now in Diego Costa, and it's virtually impossible to see past Mourinho's men as title winners come May 2015. Prediction: 1st Who do you think is going to win the Premier League? And which teams are destined for relegation? Share your thoughts below in the comments thread.
I am 23 year-old recently qualified sports journo from UCLan, write about music, TV and mainly sport. Huge Cardiff City FC and San Jose Earthquakes supporter.
