Don't write Chelsea off just yet

[James 5,138]

Its only a few weeks into the 2015/16 Premier League season but many pundits are already saying that Chelsea will not be able to retain the title. People should not be so quick to make such bold judgements. It hasn't been the best of starts for the reigning champions but Chelsea fans know that their manager and team have what it takes to bounce back from this slow start and prove the doubters wrong. Here is a look at why Chelsea will win the Premier League again this season.

The Special One

Chelsea have one of the best managers of all time at the helm. Some statistics surrounding Jose Mourinho will come as great comfort to the fans. Over his managerial career he now averages a trophy every 34 matches. When Mourinho has won the league with a team, he usually retains the title the following year. The only time this hasn't happened was with Real Madrid in 2012/13 when they finished second. The teams he successfully won back-to-back league titles with were Porto (2002/03 & 2003/04), Chelsea (2004/05 & 2005/6), and Inter Milan (2008/09 & 2009/10). At the time of writing, 32red are giving odds of 7/2 on Mourinho producing this again. When The Special One finds the winning formula within a team, it is very hard to knock that team of its perch.

Good Signings

When Mourinho made his return to Chelsea in 2013, many thought that he would instantly take the Premier League by storm again, but even he admitted that he needed some time to build his team. They finished third that season, and in the following transfer window the manager addressed the key areas in which the team were weak. The two main signings were Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas, who instantly made up where the team were lacking and were pivotal in the race for the title. After winning the league so emphatically, it didn't seem like the team really needed any big name reinforcements. However, after the poor start to the new campaign, it quickly became apparent that some signings would have to be made.

With concern over the fitness of Oscar, and with Costas hamstring issues, Chelsea needed back up in their attack. The acquisition of Pedro (see below) looks to be a very shrewd move indeed, as he made his transition to the Premier League seamlessly. In the win against West Bromwich Albion, Pedro provided extra pace to the attack, and chipped in with a goal and an assist as well. The former Barcelona talisman can play in any of the attacking midfield positions and will be very useful indeed.

Chelsea havent been so solid defensively so far this season, and this is an area that needs refreshing. The transfer saga of Everton centre-back John Stones dragged on and the likes of 10bet at one stage had him at 1/11 to join Chelsea before the window closed. However, Everton held firm. Chelsea instead turned their attention to bringing in Michael Hector from Reading and Papy Djilobodji from Nantes. These arrivals and the signing of left-back Abdul Rahman Baba will help freshen up a back line that remained very much unchanged throughout last season. It could do the current defenders some good to have some competition for places. As it stands, nobody is a definite starter in the back four.

Favourable Fixtures

Up to the end of December, Chelsea have a very favourable run of fixtures. They only meet one of last seasons top four teams (Arsenal) until they play Manchester United on 28th December. This is the perfect opportunity to put the shaky start behind them and gain some serious momentum. If they were to put together an unbeaten run until Christmas, things could look a lot differently indeed. 32red and others have Manchester City as Chelseas biggest rivals for the title, and they have a slightly tougher run of games up to the New Year. This should allow the reigning champions to gain up some lost ground on them.

Without any real competition, last season was just too easy for Chelsea, and this had allowed them to relax. It is fair to say that this campaign wont be so much of a walk in the Park for Mourinho's men, but there is no reason that they cant turn things around and retain the title. They are perfectly capable of doing it.

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[blues.bridge 340]

the complaining isn't about the start of the season, that is only the top of iceberg. The problem is more and more deep! Mou is a great motivator,,but a bad play's teacher and a worse manager!

[Duppy Conqueror 1,451]

I`m just looking at us getting into some good form,the rest will take care of itself.

the talk of what silverware we have already supposedly lost is extremely premature tho. I`ve no desire to predict where we will be next month,let alone in 8 months time.

back in the day when Forest were putting 7 past us at the city ground..we started singing always look on the bright side of life...football is taken too seriously now...

[Fulham Broadway 16,386]

I`m just looking at us getting into some good form,the rest will take care of itself.

the talk of what silverware we have already supposedly lost is extremely premature tho. I`ve no desire to predict where we will be next month,let alone in 8 months time.

back in the day when Forest were putting 7 past us at the city ground..we started singing always look on the bright side of life...football is taken too seriously now...

We've got our old Chelsea back

[Iggy Doonican 4,186]

We've got our old Chelsea back

Trips to Plymouth and Oldham then F.B. ha ha.

[edetarod 2,155]

the way Chelsea and Mourinho win titles is by storming out of the starting block leaving everyone else behind, building a gap quite early on

we won't win the title this season

[Unionjack 7,531]

But we've still got Stoke on a cold night in November.

I'll be chuffed to be in Europe next year. We will wake up and get it together its just swings and roundabouts. Just look at the money we are going to be spending in the next 2 open seasons to sort out the problems we will have. Lets just hope we have a plan B next time.

[Fulham Broadway 16,386]

Trips to Plymouth and Oldham then F.B. ha ha.

Plymouth away I remember Ist round of league cup. Me and my mate were the only Chelsea in the ground about 1 half hours before kick off , drove there in his new open top MG. Lovely sunny evening. 'Chelsea Will Die' painted on the terraces. Dogs abuse from about 3k Plymouth fans for 30 mins before all the chelsea coaches arrived

[Unionjack 7,531]

Plymouth away I remember Ist round of league cup. Me and my mate were the only Chelsea in the ground about 1 half hours before kick off , drove there in his new open top MG. Lovely sunny evening. 'Chelsea Will Die' painted on the terraces. Dogs abuse from about 3k Plymouth fans for 30 mins before all the chelsea coaches arrived

I dunno mate. You old boys! Must have been a bit chilly going home. I was only 7

[zolayes 14,489]

check results of Workington v Chelsea .. I saw the draw ,, Chelsea were so lucky

[Pacquiao 1,834]

the way Chelsea and Mourinho win titles is by storming out of the starting block leaving everyone else behind, building a gap quite early on

we won't win the title this season

no they dont, we didnt go top until the 12th matchday in 2004/05

[Pacquiao 1,834]

No idea how any Chelsea fan could write us off, especially with the amount of times we have had great starts to the season only to implode, that is what i think will happen to Man City with their overrated and ageing squad.

In 2008/09 we won 10 of our first 14 games, only losing 1 and then on Matchday 15 we lost top spot and never regained it and ended up finishing 3rd.

In 2010/11 we stayed top from Matchday 1 to Matchday 14 and lost top spot on Matchday 15 and never regained it.

In 2012/13 we won 7 of our first 8 games, drawing 1, we led from Matchday 3 to Matchday 9 and lost top spot on Matchday 10 and never regained it.

I find it bizarre how anyone could think we cant win the league after 4 games! we have had great starts and blew it in the past, Man City clawed back an 8 point lead on us last seaon only to implode, Man City are mentally not strong enough and not good enough to lead from day one till the end like we did last season, also their manager is bang average, i am not worried about our start at all, and am very confident we will win the league with a few games to spare.

[zolayes 14,489]

No idea how any Chelsea fan could write us off, especially with the amount of times we have had great starts to the season only to implode, that is what i think will happen to Man City with their overrated and ageing squad.

In 2008/09 we won 10 of our first 14 games, only losing 1 and then on Matchday 15 we lost top spot and never regained it and ended up finishing 3rd.

In 2010/11 we stayed top from Matchday 1 to Matchday 14 and lost top spot on Matchday 15 and never regained it.

In 2012/13 we won 7 of our first 8 games, drawing 1, we led from Matchday 3 to Matchday 9 and lost top spot on Matchday 10 and never regained it.

I find it bizarre how anyone could think we cant win the league after 4 games! we have had great starts and blew it in the past, Man City clawed back an 8 point lead on us last seaon only to implode, Man City are mentally not strong enough and not good enough to lead from day one till the end like we did last season, also their manager is bang average, i am not worried about our start at all, and am very confident we will win the league with a few games to spare.

I am impressed by your faith but not by your judgement .. As a regular gambler I respect the Bookies judgement ,, THEY are very hard to beat .

preseason we were 13 -8 to win PL now we are THIRD favourites behind City and Arsenal ,, I wont even back us at 5 to 1 ,, but suggest you put your money on them ,, great odds with your faith .

[zolayes 14,489]

I am impressed by your faith but not by your judgement .. As a regular gambler I respect the Bookies judgement ,, THEY are very hard to beat .

preseason we were 13 -8 to win PL now we are THIRD favourites behind City and Arsenal ,, I wont even back us at 5 to 1 ,, but suggest you put your money on them ,, great odds with your faith .

up to date odds we are SECOND faves with Bet 365 11 -2 Arse 6 - 1 City 1 -2

[Pacquiao 1,834]

I am impressed by your faith but not by your judgement .. As a regular gambler I respect the Bookies judgement ,, THEY are very hard to beat .

preseason we were 13 -8 to win PL now we are THIRD favourites behind City and Arsenal ,, I wont even back us at 5 to 1 ,, but suggest you put your money on them ,, great odds with your faith .

The bookies have got things wrong countless times, like today when i saw Lewandowski was 4/1 to score anytime against Germany, i couldnt believe it and was all over it like a rash. Easy money

also at the start of the season 888sport were giving 12/5 on Roma to win Serie A without Juventus! again a crazy price which i was all over, and i have already got money on Chelsea at 5/1

[zolayes 14,489]

The bookies have got things wrong countless, like today when i saw Lewandowski was 4/1 to score anytime against Germany, i couldnt believe it and was all over it like a rash. Easy money

WELL you should make a killing on us winning the PL

[Reddish-Blue 2,213]

No idea how any Chelsea fan could write us off, especially with the amount of times we have had great starts to the season only to implode, that is what i think will happen to Man City with their overrated and ageing squad.

In 2008/09 we won 10 of our first 14 games, only losing 1 and then on Matchday 15 we lost top spot and never regained it and ended up finishing 3rd.

In 2010/11 we stayed top from Matchday 1 to Matchday 14 and lost top spot on Matchday 15 and never regained it.

In 2012/13 we won 7 of our first 8 games, drawing 1, we led from Matchday 3 to Matchday 9 and lost top spot on Matchday 10 and never regained it.

I find it bizarre how anyone could think we cant win the league after 4 games! we have had great starts and blew it in the past, Man City clawed back an 8 point lead on us last seaon only to implode, Man City are mentally not strong enough and not good enough to lead from day one till the end like we did last season, also their manager is bang average, i am not worried about our start at all, and am very confident we will win the league with a few games to spare.

Win the league with a few games to spare? As long as Ivanovic is our starting RB, we won't be winning anything this season

[Pacquiao 1,834]

Win the league with a few games to spare? As long as Ivanovic is our starting RB, we won't be winning anything this season

yeah because we won nothing last season with Ivanovic in the team.