Chelsea: 2013-14 Season Preview

What could be another sensitive issue for Mourinho to deal with is who to play in attacking midfield or out wide, depending on his chosen formation. It would be fine to use the trio of Mata, Hazard and Oscar, but with Victor Moses, Kevin de Bruyne, who spent last season on loan at Werder Bremen, and new signing André Schürrle all in the squad, Chelsea have almost too many options in this position, contrast to 2010/11, where a lack of creativity was a major factor in them not winning the title.

Up front, however, there is no real world class striker. Romelu Lukaku was firing on all cylinders in pre-season and looked capable enough for West Brom last season, but how he’ll cope against England and Europe’s meanest defences is a matter of question.

Will Romelu Lukaku be able to make his mark?

Fernando Torres still hasn’t found any form of consistency, two and a half years on from his £50 million move, while Demba Ba has never really looked suited to Chelsea’s team.

Not buying Cavani, Falcao, or Rooney, whom they were all reportedly interested in may come back to bite them.

Best XI (4-2-3-1): Cech; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Cole; Mikel, Lampard; Schürrle, Mata, Hazard, Lukaku.

Key players

Petr Cech: One of Mourinho’s first signings has grown into somewhat of a legend in his nine years at Chelsea, with his ability to pull out world class saves on a regular basis and his maturity as a dressing room leader.

Few goalkeepers read the game better than Cech, and with Terry and Lampard not expected to play as much as in previous years, Cech will be expected to wear the captain’s armband on quite a few occasions this season, a role he is more than capable of taking.

Eden Hazard: After a blistering start to his Chelsea career, it took the Belgian until around January to rediscover his early season form, but when he did, he looked unstoppable. His interchanges with Mata were something to behold at times (see West Ham at home in March), and he will look to delight the Chelsea faithful again in 2013/14.

If he performs regularly, he could well be considered one of the division’s very finest players.

Eden Hazard (L) and Juan Mata will be key to Chelsea’s chances in the Premier League

Juan Mata: From the very first game of the season, the Spaniard was consistently excellent for the Blues in 2012/13, with a fantastic left foot and the sort of trickery that means defenders fear few players more than Juan Mata.

With possible formation changes, Mata’s role may alter a little this season, but as long as he’s fit, he’s a threat and a real asset to the Blues. Early summer talk of him departing would have been a terrible blow to Chelsea.

Despite their lack of a proven world class striker, Chelsea’s team looks even deeper and talented than ever. They are one of the few teams who could have six or seven players suspended or injured, yet still look extremely strong, evoking memories of Mourinho’s “two players for every position” ideology.

Unlike at Madrid, Mourinho has the respect of the dressing room, and will unite them all. His tactically sound mind will mean Chelsea will be solid, yet creative, whereas past Chelsea teams have tended to lack one or the other.

Manchester’s big two, City and United, will of course have a say and they won’t be easy to beat, but I believe the determined Mourinho will push this well-drilled Chelsea side to the title.

Verdict: 1st