Premier League 2013/14: Predicting Best Players Of Each Club

Chelsea - Eden Hazard

The Special One has returned to Chelsea, and after the club finally experienced the much-anticipated glory in Europe over the last two seasons, many of the fans will be hoping that Jose Mourinho can add that edge and consistency to Chelsea that made them virtually unbeatable between 2004 and 2007. Under Mourinho, the club moved into the field of perennial title challengers and actually put their money to good use (except of course the Shevchenko fiasco). With him back in the helm, mixed with a number of the old guard still turning out for the club alongside a group of new talent makes Chelsea the favourites for the Premier League title in the eyes of many pundits and football fans. The club does seem to have an exceptional mix of proven Premier League talent and future superstars that will certainly benefit a charge to the title, along with a strength in depth that most clubs could only dream of. Recent signings such as Andre Schurrle and Marco van Ginkel show potential, whilst the returns of Michael Essien and Romelu Lukaku from loan spells could be viewed as new signings if they are employed correctly during the campaign. Couple these new players with the old hands such as Petr Cech, Ashley Cole, John Terry and Frank Lampard, the club is certainly looking in good shape in the build-up to their opening fixture against Hull City. My choice among the many talented players is one of the younger and more creative elements of Chelsea's team in Eden Hazard. Whilst he may be rather slight and considered by some as soft under a tackle, he was a tremendous influence in the attacking third of the field. Although he did provide his fair share of goals, his true unique skill was in his turning defences inside-out through a mix of deft passing and silky dribbling, which when coupled with the established ability of Juan Mata makes Chelsea a side that will be consistently creating chances and scoring goals. And, at the age of only 22, he will only grow with experience and seems an excellent long-term prospect for the club when Lampard finally calls time on his Chelsea tenure. Performances like his matches against West Ham and Aston Villa at the end of last season demonstrate how far he has come in a single season in the top flight, and with that experience under his belt, he is likely to continue to progress, terrify defences and provide a bucket-load of goals for his fellow players. You could say that his presence is Hazard-ous for the rest of the teams (if you were trying too hard to be funny that is). Where will they finish? - 1st