“The Special One” is back – Jose Mourinho has returned! Chelsea fans have finally got their man (again!).
Investment was less than previous years but still amounted to £60 million. Particular importance was youth with four of the signings being under the age of 25. Only Schwarzer and Eto’o are over 30 but both were free agents, which can only be a good thing for Chelsea.
Chelsea’s major transfer dealings are as follows:
Players in: Andre Shurrle, Marco van Ginkel, Mark Schwarzer, Samuel Eto’o, Willian, Christian Atsu (immediately loaned out)
Players out: Yossi Benayoun, Florent Malouda, Paulo Ferriera, Ross Turnbull, Jeffrey Bruma, Oriol Romeu, Victor Moses (loan), Romelu Lukaku (loan), Marko Marin (loan), Lucas Piazon (loan), Gael Kakuta (loan), Patrick van Aanholt (loan), Thibaut Courtois (loan)
This is what I believe Chelsea’s strongest starting XI looks like:
No big name player left the squad in the off-season. The additions can only add to the strength of Chelsea’s squad and add to their push for the premier league crown. Chelsea’s squad is looking a lot younger compared to the one from a couple of seasons ago and many of the younger players are seen as direct replacements for the outgoing players. For example, van Ginkel has many of the qualities which make him a young Lampard, and Lukaku was signed as he was seen as the “new Drogba”.
Chelsea’s squad is taking shape and Mourinho’s mark can already be seen. They put away newly-promoted Hull City with relative ease before Aston Villa provided them with a serious challenge. Mourinho even stated that Villa perhaps deserved a point from the game for the way they pushed the Blues. United-Chelsea promised a lot but in the end gave very little as the teams played out a very lacklustre 0-0 draw. The most exciting part was when Mourinho could not find his pen and could not make any of his trademark notes.
Chelsea’s potential has not yet been fully reached. I expect them to challenge for the title, but there is something about them that makes me think they will not win the title this year. If they managed to sign a striker they quality of Wayne Rooney or Robert Lewandowski, I think there would not be a question that the title would be heading back to the London club. In a couple of years time, the young talent that Mourinho has at his disposal will be more mature and ready to mount a complete attempt at the title.
Feel free to comment on this post. Whether you agree or disagree, this is all for the love of the game and for the fans.
The 12th Man 
Shevechenko used to playing in Chelsea!