Football Season Guide

Chelsea

In


Cesc Fabregas (mid)(Barcelona) , Diego Costa (att)(Atletico Madrid), Filipe Luis (def)(Atletico Madrid), Didier Drogba (att)(Galatasaray)

Out


Tomas Kalas (def)(Cologne -Loan), Ashley Cole (def)(Roma) , Samuel Eto'o (att)(Released), Henrique Hilario (gk)(Released), Frank Lampard (mid)(New York City) , Demba Ba (att)(Besiktas), Romelu Lukaku (att)(Everton), Ryan Bertrand (def)(Southampton - Loan)

The Blues finished a respectable third in the table last season and were in the title race up until the last couple of weeks of the season. In the end they finished four points behind trophy winners Manchester City. Going all the way was without doubt the target, so in that respect Jose Mourinho did not deliver. At the back Chelsea were mean and tight, boasting the best defensive in the division. It was upfront where their problems lay. They scored thirty one goals fewer than Man City, and thirty less than second placed Liverpool. As always, the Champions League was seen as very important. In truth they were a little fortunate to make it to the semi final stage. Ahead of the new season strikers Didier Drogba and Diego Costa have been signed. Costa often needs just one chance to hit the back of the net, while Drogba is a hero at Stamford Bridge. It remains to be seen just how often he will feature. Frank Lampard has moved on, but Cesc Fabregas should be able to replace some of his goals. Another mainstay of the team in recent years, Ashley Cole has also departed.

Target


Mourinho has a history of delivering. Winning the Barclay's Premier League is the aim for Chelsea this season, and they will also want to progress as far as they can in the Champions League. They look well equipped to improve on last season's positioning.