Chelsea
begin their Premier League title defence with a Saturday Night Football
clash against Swansea City – but how will they line up at Stamford Bridge?
It has been a relatively quiet transfer window for the Blues, with Radamel
Falcao and goalkeeper Asmir Begovic the only major additions so far.
Chelsea have one final pre-season friendly against Fiorentina on Wednesday
and they are expected to add more new faces before the end of the transfer
window, but here is how they could line up for their Premier League opener…
Goalkeeper
Thibaut Courtois usurped club legend Petr Cech last season, and he will
continue as Chelsea’s No 1 in the new campaign. Begovic has arrived from
Stoke to replace Cech following his move to Arsenal, but the Bosnian has his
work cut out to oust Courtois, who is a guaranteed starter for Mourinho
having proved himself at Atletico Madrid and excelled for the champions in
2014/15.
Defence
With a back four of Branislav Ivanovic, Gary Cahill, John Terry and Cesar
Azpilicueta last season, Chelsea conceded fewer goals (32) and kept more
clean sheers (17) than anyone else. That quartet started Sunday’s Community
Shield, and that’s unlikely to change against Swansea, despite the defeat to
Arsenal. Mourinho has made no secret of his desire to bring in defensive
reinforcements – especially after selling Filipe Luis back to Atletico
Madrid – but any new arrivals will face a battle to win a starting spot.
Midfield
Mourinho
opted for the graft of Ramires in midfield against Arsenal, but Chelsea
could revert to last season’s favoured set-up against the Swans. That means
the Brazilian would make way for his countryman Oscar, who would play behind
the striker with Cesc Fabregas dropping back alongside Nemanja Matic to the
deep-lying role in which he excelled in 2014/15.
Attack
PFA Player of the Year Eden Hazard is a guaranteed starter on the left after
notching 14 goals and nine assists last season, while the industrious
Willian is likely start on the opposite flank. Up front, things are less
clear.
Mourinho admitted he doesn’t know whether Diego Costa will be fit after
missing the Community Shield, but his persistent hamstring troubles are
ominous. Costa’s absence would give Loic Remy and Radamel Falcao another
opportunity, and the Frenchman is the favourite to start as Falcao continues
to work towards full fitness after his Copa America exertions.
Subs
Kurt Zouma and Nathan Ake are currently Chelsea’s only back-up options in
defence, but there are a clutch of midfielders who are likely to be among
the substitutes. Juan Cuadrado is yet to earn a starting spot, while Victor
Moses and John Obi Mikel could also be on the bench. Of Chelsea’s young
talents, Ruben Loftus-Cheek is the closest to the first team.
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