Premier League Preview: Chelsea

Last Season: 3rd

Pre-Season Prediction: 1st - Intelligent summer signings should see the Blues claim their fourth Premier League title amid stiff competition.

Last season was something of a disappointment for Chelsea fans. Much was expected after the eagerly anticipated return of the Special One, but little was delivered as a team overflowing with creativity produced little excitement or flair throughout the season. The blame was placed on a well-documented lack of a prolific goalscorer but the reality is this Mourinho seemed uncomfortable with the team he had inherited. A long Champions League run did plenty to cover up what was otherwise a difficult season for Chelsea as Mourinho failed to live up to his legendary status.

Now heading towards the second season there is a renewed sense of optimism after a busy transfer window so far. The shock signing of Cesc Fabregas will replace the hole left by Frank Lampard whilst Ashley Cole has also been replaced by Luis Felipe. Joining Felipe from Atletico Madrid and potentially solving the striker problem is powerhouse Diego Costa although after a forgettable World Cup fans may have second doubts about the Brazil-turned-Spanish striker. Unquestionably though, the best piece of business was offloading wandering defender David Luiz for £50 million. After his shocking-at-best performances in the World Cup, PSG must be frantically searching for the receipt.

Chelsea is perhaps the one squad in the league that has depth in almost every position. Although Mourinho has never been favourable to youth, there are enough prospects to cover any major injury crisis with the likes of Kurt Zouma and Nathan Ake particularly exciting in central defence. Perhaps one more multi-functioning full-back could be required but any disappearance of the Chelsea ethos through the loss of Lampard and Cole will have been suitably replaced by the returning Didier Drogba.

Excitement has slowly been building as Blues fans have got to see their new stars in action over the summer although their first real test against Werder Bremen played out in an extremely disappointing 3-0 defeat. In a shocking turn of events, Mourinho was quick to blame the referee instead of his own team but the reality is that it was a lacklustre display from a team with creativity supposedly flowing through their veins. That said, both Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas are off the mark after pre-season fixtures including a rather tasty free-kick for the latter.

If Mourinho can inject a bit of excitement into his team and move away from the somewhat negative tactics he used last year then we could have our runaway champions. Notoriously strong at home, Chelsea will be a tough contingent for any team and their early transfer activity should ensure the squad is ready and united for the upcoming season. Don't be surprised to see another long Champions League stint as well.

Key Man: John Terry - The lone survivor of Chelsea's veteran English trio, responsibility for leading the team will be larger than ever for Terry this year. Approaching the twilight of his career, he still plays a hugely important part of the team and was unlucky not to make last seasons PFA Team of the Year after being arguably the best central-defender of the season. With a couple of young defenders breaching the wall into the first team, Terry will be vital in guiding and ensuring they get the very best out of their potential and ability. It may also be his last season in a Blues shirt so will want to go out with a bang.

One To Watch: Andre Schurrle - Often neglected as a member of the starting eleven but has proven his quality over the last year on both a national and international level. His success as an impact substitute for Germany at the World Cup will have reminded Chelsea fans just what a quality player they often have waiting in the wings. He will have a hard job breaking into the midfield three of Hazard, Oscar and Willian but will be looking to pounce should any of them have a lapse in form, bringing plenty of flair and dynamism to the team in the process.

Best Signing: Diego Costa - Question marks remain over how effective the powerful striker will be in the Premier League but on paper he is the final piece of the puzzle that was missing for Chelsea last season. Costa provides the team with a proven goalscorer, something missing since the departure of Didier Drogba. Whether they manage to get the best out of him remains to be seen but Costa is a striker with athleticism and an explosive variety and will be a handful for even the best of Premier League defences.