Chelsea weren’t a million miles away from domestic and European glory this spring in Jose Mourinho’s first season back at the club.
They did run out of steam towards the end and didn’t have the teeth in attack to make a difference in the final throes against the biggest sides.
But Chelsea looked really strong defensively and will probably add a left back to replace the departing legend Ashley Cole this summer.
Another centre-back might also be the order of the day and Eliaquim Mangala seems to favour a move to Chelsea over Manchester City. That would be a sensational signing for the club. This guy is made from granite. But, despite his monstrous solidity, he’s still highly pacey.
SEE ALSO: CHELSEA FAVOURITES FOR BARKLEY
Beyond that you would imagine Chelsea will look for another defensive midfielder – although that’s not a urgent with Ramirez still in good shape – and one or two really top strikers.
The Diego Costa deal looks as good as done but it’s anyone’s guess who else will come in to the striking department. We do feel that, at very least, two of Chelsea’s three senior strikers will leave the club this summer.
The futures of Eden Hazard and Oscar have also been the subject of some speculation over the last few months, with both reportedly courted by Paris St Germain. But we believe that when the dust settles they will both decide that they would prefer to continue in The Premier League rather than play in France right now.
So here is our punt on how Chelsea might start the season, fitness permitting. Let’s have your thoughts.
Chelsea: Cech, Filipe Luis, Mangala, Terry, Ivanovic, Matic, Ramires, Hazard, Oscar, Willian, Costa
wowza
May 22, 2014 at 7:36 pm
Wow only one Englishman that’s poor
wow
May 22, 2014 at 8:46 pm
haha, u take ivanovic, cahill and azpilucueta off the pitch? Thats just retarded.
Pappa
May 22, 2014 at 9:41 pm
Cortious ivanovic cahill terry dave, matic ramires oscar, hazard costa willian dis is beta. Y change a good back 4
Kammy
May 22, 2014 at 11:34 pm
Lol, Cahill and Azpi two of our four nominees for PotY left out of the team. FYI, Mourinho has said that Mangala is off the table due to the purchase of Zouma in January.
I’d imagine our first XI will look something close to this: Courtois, Azpi, Cahill, Terry, Moreno, Rakitic, Matic, Oscar, Willian, Hazard, Costa. Well, maybe not, but it’s what I’m crossing my fingers for anyway.
aremhar
May 23, 2014 at 1:33 am
Courtious, felip Luis, cahill, terry, Ivanovic, matic, ramirez, Oscar, willian, hazard, Costa
Abd
May 23, 2014 at 2:06 am
No azpi no Cahill? You were high while writing this weren’t you?
Emmie lawrence
May 23, 2014 at 6:37 am
I think mourinhno should not just be furious over hazard but should also learn dat no man is an island. So anyone can be critised!! Selling him will mean alot for chelsea than his personal feelings so i wish he understands dat agood team will always need such good players!!, though he buys which top striker without ruthless attackers and creaters of chances then nothing will see him asuccess, so hope he thinks about it!
Tim
May 23, 2014 at 7:24 am
Ooooh nuh, Ramires can’t hold the midfield well,he gives away passes and undiscipline, perhaps we have to get a new better holding CDM! With Rumours claiming Yaya Toure wants MCUntd let’s grab him to give matic-Toure partnership
fineguy
May 23, 2014 at 8:54 am
Man-city wil not let yaya go.chelsea dnt hv a good number 10 midfielder.we need strikers like lavezi,costa
Joshua Onakoya
May 23, 2014 at 9:00 am
Joker ! How dare u liv out Precious Gary Cahill?
fineguy
May 23, 2014 at 9:04 am
Wish u well next season.trophyless is not our purtion next summer
tomila
May 23, 2014 at 9:17 am
ha ha mou mou ,,, don’t temper with the back four ,,,, al we need is the partnership in the attack, with coster harzard,
Vincent omoiunu
May 23, 2014 at 2:41 pm
We dont hv a good numba 10 nd a gud striker,we need a gud creative midfielder nd a sharp striker.azpi,cahil,terry,philip luiz,rakitic,matic,hazard,lavezi,wilian,costa.wit dis we ar unstopable.
Onyegame
May 23, 2014 at 7:26 pm
I think it will look like dis
iva,cahill,terry,azpi,matic,guarin/rakitic,hazard,oscar,willian,costa
champ
May 23, 2014 at 7:36 pm
Damn’ bye luiz.thanks a lot
champ
May 23, 2014 at 7:37 pm
Bout I do appriciate mou
jlccoo
May 24, 2014 at 1:08 am
it will probably be like this
cech,
felipe,terry,cahill,azpilicueta,
matic,rakitic,
hazard,reus,willian,
costa
Victor
May 24, 2014 at 7:06 am
My preffered lineup. Courtouis luis fillipe, zouma, cahill, azpi. Rikitic, matic, willian hazard. Lavezzi , costa.
Michael
May 28, 2014 at 9:21 am
Who is this RIKITIC of a tin
Michael
May 28, 2014 at 9:29 am
I prefer:
P. CECH
B. IVANOVIC G. CAHIL J. TERRY F. LUIZ
RAMIRES TIAGO D. OSCAR WILLIAN E. HAZARD D. COSTA