Chelsea built for success in the 2014/2015 season

[James 5,139]

Jose Mourinho’s second coming may not have produced instant success that everyone connected with Chelsea was hoping for, but bringing back ‘The Special One’ could reap considerable dividends. Coming so close to winning the Premier League and falling agonisingly short of Champions League glory at the semi-final stage still represents a step in the right direction, but Mourinho was openly adamant that foundations were being built to be much stronger in his second season. Moulding a squad to suit his style of play and meet the quality that a club of Chelsea’s considerable calibre demands was the challenge put forward to a manager who worked closely with Roman Abramovich to target top quality signings. A summer packed with incomings and outgoings have put Chelsea in a wonderful position to mount a serious challenge on every domestic and European front to enjoy the success that fans and Abramovich expects.

Summer transfers

A major factor behind Chelsea’s potential development was how Mourinho would utilise the summer transfer window to put the club in a much stronger position to challenge for major honours. Although it was always likely that the club could flex its considerable financial muscle in bringing in big name players, there was a case for negotiation to let players who Mourinho wanted to move on leave Chelsea for pastures new.

Selling David Luiz and Romelu Lukaku for a combined total of £78 million should be considered a masterstroke, despite an underlying feeling that letting a highly-talented forward leave may come back to haunt Mourinho. The arrival of Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa not only represent wonderful deals for Chelsea, but also resulted in the club moving ahead of Manchester City as the bookies’ favourites to win the 2014/2015 Barclays Premier League. Atletico Madrid left-back Felipe and Queens Park Rangers striker Loic Remy have also arrived through the doors at Stamford Bridge, while Didier Drogba has made an emotional return to the club; the Ivorian remains a firm fans’ favourite, with the striker providing an invaluable option upfront with his considerable strength and power. It would be stupid not to back them with the wealth of quality at Mourinho’s disposal, with the squad stronger than ever in every department.

Statement of intent

Enjoying a strong start to the season was essential for the Blues to make a real statement of intent and lay down a marker for their closest Premier League rivals to match. Three consecutive victories represent a wonderful start for Chelsea who swept aside Burnley, Leicester and Everton to record maximum points. Although Leicester gave Chelsea a real scare at Stamford Bridge before Diego Costa and Eden Hazard sealed a 2-0 victory, Mourinho’s men have been in ominous form from the get-go. The supreme quality of play in all departments has been a joy to behold, with Fabregas and Diego Costa instantly repaying their transfer fees with superb performances. They have both made an immediate difference in areas where Chelsea arguably fell short last season; Fabregas has the vision and range of passing to dissect defences and create chances at will, while Costa brings considerable physicality, strength and deadly eye for goal which should make amends for Chelsea’s lack of goals from the forward line. There is no question that Chelsea are well equipped to be a dominant force in the Premier League, but also have enough in the tank to be a major threat in the domestic cup competitions and Champions League.

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