Premier League 2018/19: Chelsea - Season preview

The 2017/18 season saw Antonio Conte prioritise Cup competitions over the Premier League. An FA Cup win, the EFL Cup semi-finals saw a reasonable campaign for Conte on the National cup front.

As for the league, horrifying heavy defeats against the likes of Watford, Bournemouth and Newcastle United ensured that Chelsea would have to settle for a UEFA Europa League spot.

Between January 31st and April 1st last season Chelsea lost five of their seven league games which inevitably saw Chelsea drop out of the UEFA Champions League places without hope of returning.

This time around, there is new hope with manager Maurizio Sarri taking over from Napoli but it won't be easy for the Italian to turn Chelsea back into the powerhouse they once were.

The squad

Goalkeepers

With news that Thibaut Courtois is looking to leave Chelsea this Summer, the Blues could be left with just Willy Caballero and Robert Green as their goalkeeping options. Obviously, the Blues will have someone in-place just in case and overall their goalkeeping department should be fine.

Full-backs

With Sarri set to change his side to a 4-3-3, the Italian will need his full-backs to be a lot better at defending than they were with Antonio Conte last season. As Emerson and Marcus Alonso fight it out for the left-back position and Victor Moses fights with Cesar Azpillucueta on the other side, Chelsea are in good stead when it comes to full-backs.

Centre-backs

Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen improving every season, they have the potential to be Chelsea's starting centre-backs for the next five+ years.

This season, in terms of back up, they have Gary Cahill and David Luiz both of whom are declining in quality as well as Kurt Zouma who failed to impress at Stoke City last season. Chelsea could possibly do with another backup player in centre-back but in terms of starters, they're strong.

Central Midfielders

Off what I've seen of Jorginho in pre-season and his time at Napoli he seems to be a fantastic partner for N'Golo Kante. My problem here is, there isn't a world class attacking midfielder to build attacks.

Ross Barkley is the closest Chelsea have to a number 10 and I have never believed Barkley to be up-to-standard for a top 6 Premier League side, so there's definite room for improvement here.

Wingers

It looks more and more likely every day that Willian will leave Chelsea this summer and personally, I don't think Chelsea fans would mind for the fee being discussed.

Regardless of whether Willian stays or goes, I feel a right-winger could be useful to Chelsea, even as back-up to the Brazilian. On the left, Chelsea have Eden Hazard and then Pedro as his back-up, that's one position Chelsea don't have to worry about.

Strikers

It's no surprise that Chelsea are looking for a striker, Alvaro Morata was ultimately a disappointment last season, Olivier Giroud and Michy Batshuayi are fantastic as back-ups but aren't quite up to standards for a starting top-four side striker. A world-class striker would almost guarantee Chelsea a top-four spot this season. However, I can't see them getting one before the close of the ongoing transfer window.

One to watch: Eden Hazard

Best signing: Jorginho

Weak-link: Alvaro Morata

Signings needed:4

Expected starting XI

Chelsea will likely have just one new addition when they face Huddersfield

Sarri's expected 4-3-3 will suit a lot of their players. The likes of Fabregas and Jorginho will get more time and space on the ball than they would in a two-piece. Kante will roam behind picking up any loose balls and protecting the centre-backs. A number 10 and a new number 9 is all that is stopping this side from challenging Manchester City. If they could bring those in, they'd have a real chance this season. However, with Morata and Fabregas as their main options, they'll still be one of the best teams in the league but won't be challenging for the title.

Other than that, their aren't many selection issues for Sarri, there will be questions over the fitness of the likes of Eden Hazard and N'Golo following the World Cup but I expect both to start and Chelsea to pick up an early win against Huddersfield Town.

Does more silverware await Chelsea this season?

Final league prediction

Last season Chelsea sometimes focused on the cups over the league and it worked out for them winning the FA Cup and they would've had a decent run in the Champions League if it weren't for Leo Messi and Barcelona. However, I also feel that the majority of sides around Chelsea (excluding Tottenham) have improved their squad more than the Blues. Which I think will be a telling factor come the end of the season.

Prediction: 5th

EFL Cup

It's a real shame that most sides don't compete for the EFL Cup but Chelsea have fantastic depth and could possible field a weakened team all the way through. However, Chelsea will likely judge their position in the league before making any decision on the cups. I think the EFL cup won't be high on their priorities this season.

Prediction: Round of 16

FA Cup

I believe that Europa league and the Premier League will be Chelsea's priorities this season meaning that if they're still heavily involved in both competitions, the FA cup will be nothing but an afterthought. Their second-string will beat the majority of teams in the competition but I can envision them getting a tough draw and prioritising other competitions.

Prediction: Quarter finals

Europa League

This is where I feel Sarri will put his best side out and in my opinion, have the best chance of gaining entry to the Champions League. Atletico Madrid were winners last time round and they were eliminated into the competition thanks to Chelsea. I can see Chelsea claiming the trophy once again.

Prediction: Finalists/Winners

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Agree with my predictions? Leave a comment with your predictions for Chelsea in the upcoming season.