Chelsea's potential starting XI for 2014-15 season

With the 2014-15 Premier League going to be the one of the toughest in the history of the competition, top teams have strengthened key areas in the summer. While Pellegrinis City would be gunning to start the defense of their title, newly appointed United manager Louis van Gaals attention would be focussed completely on the league with no European responsibilities. Meanwhile, Arsenal are fresh from winning their first major trophy in eight years, with key additions of Alexis Sanchez and Mathew Debuchy.However, Chelsea have attended to their weaknesses most effectively, but bringing Cesc Faregas and Felipe Luis for the outgoing Frank Lampard and Ashley Code, respectively, while capturing Diego Costa, reuniting with Didier Drogba and recalling Thibaut Courtois from loan. To complement these, the big money sales of David Luiz and Romelu Lukaku. With a formidable force that Mourinho has built, it would be interesting to see who he plays. Heres my take on who he could go with.

#1 Goalkeeper - Petr Cech

Now that Belgian prodigy Thibaut Courtois has returned to his parent club after spending three season long loans at Athleico Madrid, Chelsea arguably have two of the world’s top five goalkeepers in world. What’s worse is that one of them will have to warm the bench. Third choice keeper, soon to be 42, Mark Shwarzer isn’t bad either, and is good enough to start for half of the teams in the league.

Courtois finally played in Chelsea colors in a friendly against Werder Bremen, but he conceded two goals before it was half time. However, his performance was fantastic and he made saves that would justify his selection over Petr Cech. Playing in the world cup followed by an extended holiday didn’t show any signs on the young Belgian might get the nod for the starting XI.

But, come the opening match of the Premier League and you will see Petr Cech starting for Chelsea. Combined with a solid pre season, Cech has been offered the vice captain role after the departure of club legend Frank Lampard. That just proves Mourinho trusts Cech with the role - at least for now.

#2 Centre Backs - John Terry, Gary Cahill

Gary Cahill is certainly going to be a first choice selection. Even though England weren’t up to the mark in the World Cup, Cahill proved to be a silver lining.

Although the aging Terry is not at his best, Inanovic would probably start at right back, Tomas Kalas has been sent out on loan and Kurt Zouma is not quite the finished product. Terry might just retain his position as the captain and a starter.

#3 Full Backs - Felipe Luis, Branislav Ivanovic

Chelsea possess a lot of players who can play off position at the full back spot. Cesar Azpilicueta played majority of the last season playing at left back over his preferred right back position, which led to veteran Ashley Cole missing out on playing time. However, the €20 million signing of Felipe Luis just shows Mourinho’s intentions of staring him at left back.

As for the right back position, I doubt if Azpilicueta can displace Ivanovic, after a lukewarm performance in the world cup, where his team, defending champions Spain, crashed out in the group stages. Ivanovic continues to be solid out of position and looks certain to start over Azpilicueta.

#4 Defensive Midfielders - Nemanja Matic, Francesc Fabregas

Ever singe signing from Benfica, Matic has seamlessly integrated himself into the Chelsea game. He is perhaps one player that is sure to start for Chelsea, despite the star studded squad.

Fabregas, on the other hand, was signing from Barcelona in the summer, deemed surplus to requirements after the signing of Ivan Rakitic from Sevilla. Fabregas is a proven performer in the Premier League and his link up play has been impressive in the pre season. The delivery from set pieces also has been impressive, as he scored his first pre season goal for Chelsea through a wonderfully taken free kick. In fact, Mourinho has went on to say that Fabregas was the missing piece in the Chelsea puzzle!

With Romeu heading out on loan year again and Mikel still prone to errors, Matic and Fabregas are probably going to start.

#5 Attacking Midfielders - Eden Hazard, Oscar, Willian

Hazard didn’t have a great world cup with Belgium, but he remains an important player for Chelsea. The long holiday after the World Cup seems to have taken a toll on his accuracy, but he will probably at his best by the start of the season. Chelsea missed Hazard at his best in their recent 3-0 loss to Werder Bremen in a friendly. That, combined with Mourinho’s faith in the Belgian will see him get a starting role.

Although Brazil’s last two matches in the World Cup were unforgettable for all the wrong reasons, Oscar was one player who constantly looked like a threat - he was just too unfortunate because he didn’t have the support of his teammates.

Willian may not have been used by Scolari in the World Cup, but his defensive work rate makes him a Mourinho favorite. He’s probably going to edge past Schurrle in the starting line up.

#6 Striker - Diego Costa

Although Chelsea fans were skeptical after Costa was signed after just one good season with Athletico Madrid, followed by a poor World Cup, Diego Costa has showed signs of encouragement in the pre season matches. His work rate is high, he fights for the ball no matter what situation his team is in and he’s accurate.

With Fernando Torres and a 36 year old Didier Drogba his other options, Mourinho is surely going to start Diego Costa in Chelsea’s opening matches. If he can continue his fine form, and keeps a check to his injuries, he might provide Mourinho with the lack of firepower that saw Chelsea miss out on the Premier league by just 4 points!

#7 Final Thoughts

Formation — 4 - 3 - 3

The team looks strong and has a lot of depth, even with the high profile departures of Luiz, Mata and Lukaku. However, it is yet to be seen if Chelsea have grown into the big horse ready to challenge on all four fronts.