Sports Ladder (4th - 10th August)

UP - Rory McIlroy - Not a bad week for the young Northern Irishman as he effectively creates an own era for himself. The returning world number one has always had the talent to be the best golfer in the world but has never strung together a run long enough to claim this title. However, after his third consecutive tournament victory, two of these being majors, McIlroy has set himself aside from the rest of the golfing world and become the very best. We are now well and truly in the McIlroy era.

UP - Arsenal - 'Specialists in failure?' Jose Mourinho will be eating his words this week as Arsenal brushed Manchester City aside to win their second trophy in less than three months. It was a commanding display against the League Champions from a side who have been the laughing stock of the top end of the Premier League for so long.. As cliched as it sounds, that FA Cup victory really may open the floodgates for Arsenal and I see them as genuine title champions this year, not just contenders. Wenger certainly knows what he is doing.


UP - England Cricket - We won again! Two weeks in a row! Actual legitimate victories! This time by a whole innings! Insane! No more words are even needed!

UP - Venus Williams - This week must have felt so very pleasing for the eldest Williams sister. For years she has disappeared, cowering in the shadow of her dominant younger sister. Serena has been the number one ranked player ranked female for well over a year now whilst Venus has toiled with injuries and dropped well down in the rankings. However, this week Venus claimed her first triumph over her sister since 2009 and made the final of the Rogers Cup in the process. Unfortunately she lost but we'll ignore that part.

UP - Howard Webb - Referees get a lot of bad press. Most weeks on Match of the Day they are hounded by Linekar and the gang as well as most of the neutrals for poor errors all over the park. This week though, Manchester United, the Premier League mourned the loss of one of its greatest assets in Howard Webb. The veteran became the first of Louis Van Gaal's summer clear out  referee retired from his 25-year career to spend more time with his family. All jokes aside, Webb will be sorely missed.

DOWN - Mark Robins - Football sackings have become a bit of a joke in recent years. Managers fired before Christmas, given no time at all to implement their ideas and no time to at least try and implement some sort of recovery. Mark Robins decided that getting fired ten games into a season was too mainstream though, opting for the more ridiculous choice of leaving after ONE game of the new season. Huddersfield were spanked 4-0 by a rampant Bournemouth side which left Robins out of a job. My head was buried so deep in my hands at this ridiculous news.

DOWN - Andy Murray - After failing to retain his Wimbledon title it looks like Murray doesn't fancy retaining his Sports Personality of the Year award either. Another quarter-final exit in this weeks Toronto Masters sees the Brit make absolutely no ground on his rivals and continue to languish in a mediocre ninth in the world rankings. Despite the appointment of Amelie Mauresmo as his coach, little has changed for the Brit and it looks to be his worst year for a very long time on the court.

DOWN - Legia Warsaw - Picture the scene. 6-1 up on aggregate in the third qualifying round of the Champions League. Absolutely cruising. No way for the opposition to come back. So naturally the thing to do is bring on a player who is potentially ineligible to play with just three minutes to go. Another head-in-hands football moment as Warsaw saw themselves thrown out of the Champions League for this rookie mistake. Never underestimate the importance of paperwork.

DOWN - Bernie Ecclestone - The big, or should I say, little man at the head of Formula One made a bit of a tit of himself this week when he decided that the best way to sort out a bribery trial would simply be to buy his way out with an effectively legal form of bribery. Ecclestone was on trial for bribing a company he favoured to buy a stake in F1 and got out of the trial by paying a 100 million Euro buy-out. If that doesn't scream 'guilty' then I really don't know what does.

DOWN - Tiger Woods - Topping this weeks Sports Ladder was Rory McIlroy and his new era so it seemed only fitting to put his predecessor rock bottom after another week to forget. On a generous Valhalla course, Woods looked barely a shadow of his best, finishing on Friday after failing to make the cut by six shots. Plagued with injuries and still not looking focused after his off-the-course personal problems, the era of the legendary Tiger Woods is well and truly over.

Premier League Preview: Leicester

Last Season: 1st (Championship)

Pre-Season Prediction: 16th - Tough start may shell-shock the Foxes but they have enough organisation to survive.

Leicester City absolutely dominated the Premier League last year. This is no point beating around the bush. Santa delivered them a welcome Christmas trip to the top of the Championship and it was there they stayed throughout the remainder of the season, losing just one of their final 26 games. They bossed games possession wise and had a lethal partnership of David Nugent and Jamie Vardy, as well as the third best defense in the League. Confidence is flowing through the Leicester squad and rightly so, after the season they have had. Alas, the Premier League is an entirely different kettle of fish and, unlike last year, Nigel Pearson's men will not be having it all their own way.

This Leicester side may relish promotion to the top flight but for most this is a venture into the unknown. Few of the first team players have seen Premier League football before and Pearson has tried to address this by bringing in Matthew Upson and Marc Albrighton. These lack conviction as Upson is 35 and injured whilst Albrighton can be very hit-and-miss. To bolster an already steady front line the bulk of the transfer kitty was spent on Brighton forward Leonardo Ulloa, meaning Leicester's front three collected 50 Championship goals between them last year. Lethal.

So the front line is unquestionably strong, but questions remain about the depth of the squad behind these three. If Pearson chooses to continue operating his chosen 4-4-2 from last season then just three natural wingers will not be good enough. Another couple should be brought in, with a focus on players who can feed the strikers both in the air, and on the ground. The defense is strong and organised, but paper thin and injuries to the likes of Morgan or De Laet will see the Foxes scrambling desperately through the academy for someone to play. More defensive cover is absolutely vital in the dog-eat-dog world that is the Premier League. Another central midfielder would also be a boost and it looks as though they may seal a real coup with the probably transfer of Esteban Cambiasso.

Confidence will be key this season and a strong pre-season was always a necessity for the East Midlands club. Luckily it has been extremely fruitful with six victories, one draw and not a single loss. Leicester are also blessed with a vacant injury list and will have their first team fully fit for their testing opening fixture against Everton. Pearson will be pleased to have seen his team seemingly firing on all cylinders in their pre-season fixtures, in particular with David Nugent continuing his fine goalscoring form from last season.

It's a brutal start for the new boys, with Everton, Chelsea, Arsenal, Stoke and Manchester United the first five fixtures for the Foxes. Unless they pull of some major scalps early on they could find themselves playing catch-up as we head towards Christmas. Pearson's tactics revolved around total domination last year but that will not be a viable option this season with technically superior sides all around them. It will be interesting to see how he copes with the inevitable tactical tweaks as well as how his team copes without the feeling of relentless victories. It will be a tough season but Leicester have more confidence and organisation than some teams around them and will ultimately survive.

Key Man: Danny Drinkwater - An explosive season from the ex-Manchester United player last year makes him an instrumental part of this thing squad. Part of the powerful spine of the squad, which stretches from Kasper Schmiechel through Wes Morgan to Drinkwater and then onto David Nugent, he will be instrumental in controlling the pace of the game for Leicester. His passing accuracy is excellent and with seven goals in the league last year, is also a potent goal threat. His importance in spreading the play to the channels may prove to be instrumental offensively.

One to Watch: Riyad Mahrez - Whilst you may recognise the names of Danny Drinkwater or David Nugent from past ventures, Riyad Mahrez is something of an unknown quantity among fans of just the Premier League. The winger has had an outstanding first six months at his new club but will be a more potent threat this season with the signing of Ulloa. Ulloa has a dangerous header on him whilst Mahrez can deliver a killer cross. His delivery is second-to-none and expect Leicester to fully exploit this through set-pieces this year with Wes Morgan a notable danger.

Best Summer Signing: Leonardo Ulloa - Ulloa arrives up the M1 with an £8 million price tag around his neck and plenty of fan expectation. The powerful striker arrives from Brighton after scoring 14 goals in the league last year and brings variety to a rather one-dimensional front-line. Nugent is certainly prolific but scores almost entirely with his right foot whilst Ulloa is more versatile, scoring a mixture of goals with both feet as well as his head. He will also thrive off of the deliveries of Mahrez, Knockhaert and Albrighton and should cope fairly well with the step-up to the top flight.

US PGA Set for Super Sunday Showdown

Golf's final major of the season is set for a scintillating final day of action as a host of major players top the standings. 

On a day which saw, at one point, five players holding a share of the lead and a further five just one shot back, Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy emerged clear with a one stroke lead heading into Sunday. McIlroy endured a rocky round with some sloppy short-game errors on the 8th and 12th dragging him back into the rest of the field. At one point eighteen players were within three shots of the lead but the new world number one showed all the steely grit that has earned him three major titles, claiming three birdies over the last four holes to move to -13.

Behind him lie a star-studded line-up of leaderboard-topping veterans but his playing partner on the final day does not yet fall into that category. Austrian Bernt Wiesberger sits just one shot behind McIlroy after a special six under par round today saw him move to well within contention heading into the final day. With only five past major appearances and just one cut made, you would be forgiven for not recognising the Austrian but he has strung together three days of solid golf and will be feeling relaxed in amongst the golfing worlds big boys.

One shot further back is a man we have become all too accustomed to seeing on the final day of majors after two tied second performances and a tied fifth just this year. After an eclectic day of bogeys and birdies on friday, Rickie Fowler will have been pleased to see a squeaky clean scorecard as he finished his round this afternoon. An intelligent round of exploitative golf saw the 25-year-old American birdie all three of the par fives to leave him sitting just two strokes behind McIlroy and with plenty of confidence after seeing the Northern Irishman make a couple of errors today. Set to don his traditional orange attire for the final day, will the future be bright for the American?

These three will have to be on their toes though as lurking on ten under par is the master and the apprentice, Phil Mickelson and Jason Day. 'Lefty' is no stranger to a major title having collected five in his time, and the veteran looks ready to pounce with another US PGA title a very realistic possibility. With a string of four birdies in five holes towards the end of his round yesterday, he put himself well in the hunt for the title. Mickelson has been playing some assured golf around this generous Valhalla course and with the capabilities of his short game, McIlroy, Fowler and Wiesberger will be looking nervously over their shoulder.

Day had a less fruitful day than those around him as he left the course with just a 69 but will be remembered for save-of-the-day after wading, barefoot, through a creek to play his second shot after a wayward drive on the second hole. Remarkably, considering his position, Day parred the hole but will be disappointed with his day on the whole having lost ground to his partner, McIlroy. The Australian certainly has the attributes to challenge though and is another heavyweight on this super Sunday.

There is a mixture of players at -9, just four shots behind the leader. Henrik Stenson is the most recognisable of the four after his fantastic end to last year but Louis Oosthuizen is the sole major winner in this group after his 2010 Open Championship victory. Joining them are American, Ryan Palmer and Finn, Mikko Ilonen who both laboured through Saturday, both shooting 69's, a disappointing score comparable to those around them. At just four behind, they will all think they are still in with a chance and, especially Stenson who is still searching for that maiden major, will pounce on any mistake from the leaders.

Welshman Jamie Donaldson has the Ryder Cup now firmly in his sights after a wonderful 66 seeing him move up to -8 alongside Steve Stricker and Graeme DeLaet but will need an even better round if he is to be in with a chance of claiming his debut major.

It was another day of 'what ifs' for Lee Westwood who shot another four bogeys to go with the two double bogeys he had shot on Thursday and Friday to leave him off the pace at -7. The worst round of the day though went to Jim Furyk among the front runners, who was the sole man in the top 38 not to shoot either even or under par after a one-over-par round, meaning he joins Westwood on -7. Hunter Mahan, Kevin Chappell, Joost Luiten and Adam Scott are also on -7 but will be rank outsiders now at six shots behind.

With Ryder Cup qualification on the mind of many Americans and Europeans, Sunday is set to be a low scoring day for the enture field but all eyes will be on the front runners. McIlroy is in pole position and if recent form is anything to go by, should claim the title. That is far too simple though, and with some wiley old foxes, world-class youngsters and fresh faces all in hot pursuit expect fireworks on the Valhalla course as the major golfing season comes to an explosive finale.

Premier League Preview: Hull

Last Season: 16th

Pre-Season Prediction: 17th - Enjoy their Europa League experience they might but their toils abroad will leave them scrapping at the bottom.

On the surface last season was a roaring success for the Tigers. A season spent mostly in the comfort of mid-table combined with an FA Cup final and qualification for the Europa League meant Steve Bruce lapped up the praise for his management in their first season back in the Premier League. Ultimately though the combination of a long league campaign alongside the cup run eventually left Hull languishing in 16th, just shy of the drop zone after a disappointing end to the season. This lapse of form does not bode well for the start of this season, with a probable European run on the cards.

Steve Bruce is a man who favours this side of the channel as shown by his high profile signings of Tom Huddlestone, Shane Long and Nikita Jelavic all from British clubs last year. This trend has continued into this summer as Hull have signed five players, all English or Scottish, both in nationality and previous club. The notable signings of Tom Ince and Robert Snodgrass provide flair and creativity in the wide areas whilst the permanent signing of Jake Livermore after an assured season on loan looks a wise piece of business. Harry Maguire has arrived from Sheffield United whilst the highly thought of Andrew Robertson has hopped over Hadrian's Wall to join from Dundee United.

With nineteen members of the current team stemming from Britain or Ireland, Bruce has established a core of home-grown talent, even if none of them actually stem from Hull's own academy. For a club or their size and with their wage capacity they have a well-balanced and compact squad. Bruce has already bought well to strengthen areas lacking depth but another central-defender may be required if he opts to continue sometimes playing with three at the back. Although Bruce, Chester and Davies make for a solid outfit, an injury to one or two of them would leave Hull well short of quality.

Pre-season friendlies were hardly of the most challenging nature, taking on the likes of Harrogate, York and Barnsley but they remain unbeaten and, in reality, were far more focused on their third round Europa League clash with FK Trenchin, which they won 2-1 on aggregate. Friendlies and European ventures combined Hull are unbeaten in six and will be feeling confident heading into their opening day fixture with newly promoted QPR.

Steve Bruce is an established top division manager but has really excelled up in Hull. Last year was a challenge but was completed with ease. This year takes the north-eastern team to the next level but brings up a whole new set of challenges that Bruce and his boys will relish. If they get into Europe through their final Europa League qualifying match then they may struggle over the opening half of the season. They will need to get some results in the opening few fixtures and in the second half of the season if they are to survive but with Bruce leading the troops, they should stay up by the skin of their teeth.

Key Man: Curtis Davies - Despite only having been at the club for a season, Davies is the most important figure in this largely British contingent. Captain of the side and defensive linchpin, Davies helps ensure both the back three/four are well structured and organised, as well as holding great influence over the rest of the team. Never one to shy from a tackle, Davies is built in the image of his manager, an old-school bruising defender who is also dangerous from set-pieces. The captain nabbed two goals last season and will be hoping to add to his tally in the coming campaign.

One to Watch: Andrew Robertson - Robertson may arrive from Dundee as a relatively unknown name but the likelihood is that things will be very different come the end of the season. After spending just one season in the top flight of Scottish football, Robertson claimed the SPFA Young Player of the Year, as well as making the SPFA Team of the Year. A quite remarkable feat from a youngster who spent the season before in the Third Division with Queen's Park. Often compared to Luke Shaw, Robertson will be one to pay very close attention to, especially later in the season once he adapts to his new surroundings.

Best Summer Signing: Tom Ince - Both Ince and Snodgrass will provide flair on the wings that was perhaps lacking in Bruce's side last season. Snodgrass has been around for a while but Ince has been on the lips of football enthusiasts for a few years now. Excitement stemmed from his 2012-13 season with Blackpool when he was named the PFA Young Player of the Year and put in the PFA Team of the year, similar to Robertson. He showed flashes of talent last year during the loan spell at Crystal Palace but now in his first full season in the top flight, how much will the talented youngster excel? Expect fireworks from the feet of the young Englishman.

Premier League Preview: Everton

Last Season: 5th

Pre-Season Prediction: 7th - A long season juggling domestic and European commitments will see the Toffees lose ground in the race for top four.

One year on and I think its safe to say that Roberto Martinez was the best managerial appointment of last summer. Questions were asked as to how Martinez would cope competing at the end of the Premier League previously unfamiliar to him but the Spaniard excelled, toppling both Tottenham and Manchester United to finish a remarkable 5th place, just seven points off of the Champions League and setting a new points total in the Premier League for the Toffees. His player management and tactical nous made an already tight unit of players even stronger, and Europa League qualification was his reward for a wonderful debut season at the helm.

Last year Martinez placed a lot of faith in the loan system, shipping in both Gareth Barry and Romelu Lukaku. After excellent seasons for the pair Martinez has acted quickly to bring them both back on permanent deals, Lukaku becoming the clubs most expensive signing at £28 million. With Everton the financial minnows that they are among the top dogs, this has taken a sizeable chunk out of the kitty, and the only other signings are the two youngsters, Muhamed Besic and Brendan Galloway.

With the re-purchase of both Lukaku and Barry, Everton have largely retained the same squad as last season. This is good to an extent, but with the Europa League on the horizon investment, they will definitely be required to increase the squad depth in order to compete on both fronts. With Everton splashing the cash on Lukaku, Martinez may turn his attention back to the loan system or continue his trend of signing youngsters in order to bolster the squad. One area that especially needs attention is in the heart of defence. With Hibbert, Distin and Jagielka all over 30 it is vital that Martinez brings in an established centre-back.

The purchase of the big Belgian has done plenty to deflect from an otherwise disappointing pre-season which has seen a winless run of four matches as the Toffees battle to find form before the start of the new season. Getting points on the board early will be important with the imminent arrival of the grueling Europa League campaign but losses to Celta Vigo and opening day opponents Leicester will cast seeds of doubt among the Goodison Park faithful and they will be hoping their boys can overcome this potential slump as the season begins.

The honeymoon period is over now and it is with eager eyes we shall watch to see how Martinez gets on during his second season on Merseyside. Expect no less attractive football and expect Everton to still be mixing it with the top sides this year. However, a draining Europa League run could seriously dent their chances of finishing above Manchester United and Tottenham for a second successive season. European football is another new adventure for Martinez although after last seasons successs, who knows, perhaps the Spaniard can mastermind another Everton triumph.

Key Man: Leighton Baines - Has well and truly established himself as one of the best, if not the best left-back in the top flight of English football over the last few years. Whilst his defensive capabilities are occasionally called into question, it is his marauding runs down the flank move overlapping, and underlapping his team mates that have earned him his plaudits. At times last season he was overshadowed by his opposite, Seamus Coleman, but there can be no doubt that without him, Everton would be a notably weaker side.

One to Watch: John Stones - Last season saw Ross Barkley burst onto the scene with a flurry of excellent performances and this year may be the time of another youngster, John Stones. Stones has already established himself in the Everton starting eleven and his matured performances in the second half of the season almost led to a late England call up for the World Cup. At just 20, Stones still has a lot to learn but at Everton he will have found a safe environment with which to explore and exploit his potential. He will also have taken a lot of belief from watching his teammate, Barkley, go through a similar period of establishment and I reckon this could be his year.

Best Summer Signing: Muhamed Besic - We have already seen Lukaku and Barry in an Everton shirt so they hardly feel like new signings. Therefore it is only right that I turn my attention to the hidden gem that is Muhamed Besic. Unlikely to be a name known to the masses, Besic is a deep-lying midfielder who is very much prepared to put his foot in and break up the opposition play. Whilst unlikely to see him knocking goals in or contributing to offensive periods of play, Besic is an extremely talented player who likes to do the dirty work behind the players who gain the plaudits. That said, Besic has some quick feet, as demonstrated by his very first few touches in a toffees shirt.

Premier League Preview: Crystal Palace

Last Season: 11th

Pre-Season Prediction: 12th - Another impressive season from Palace should see them stay well clear of the drop. Unlikely to suffer second season syndrome with Pulis at the helm.

Crystal Palace fans are probably still on the come down from what was a quite extraordinary first season back in the Premier League. Almost everybody had tipped Palace to tumble straight back into the Championship but they defied everyone after Tony Pulis masterminded an astonishing recovery following his appointment in November. In fact, the five wins on the bounce from March to April almost saw the Eagles soar into the top half, eventually finishing a brilliant 11th.

One of the major criticisms of Palace last season was their summer spending spree, bringing in 14 players during the off-season but failing to gel the squad. This season, Pulis has been keen to ensure the club do not replicate these mistakes, making just three signings to date; Chris Kettings from Blackpool, Frazier Campbell from Cardiff and Brede Hangeland from Fulham. Palace have bought well, raiding clubs in trouble to secure two free transfers and Campbell for just £900,000, an astonishingly low figure considering the current market for English players.

Palace have let a number of players go during this transfer window, carefully thinning their squad after their binge-buying last year. That said, the release of both Jonathan Parr and Dean Moxey means that a new left back has to be high on the agenda of Tony Pulis. The signing of Kettings indicates a movement towards youth, but some more talented youngsters should be a priority as eleven of the squad are aged 30-or-over. Otherwise, the squad has remained largely in tact and it has hard to criticise elsewhere after their escapades last season, although some more proven defenders could be a possibility.

Pre-season fixtures has seen little experimentation, with Pulis opting to play his star-players to figure out who his starting eleven are in time for the new season. The highlight was unquestionably a 13-1 drubbing of Austrian amateur side Grazer (although Pulis will have been devastated to have conceded a goal). It was not all plain sailing though and a final friendly loss to the Championship's newly promoted side Brentford will keep their feet firmly on the ground as they prepare for an opening day trip to the Emirates.

After the jubilation of last season, Palace fans may have to enjoy the safety of mid-table mediocrity for a while longer. Pulis is a proven mid-table expert and Palace fans can expect to be joining the likes of Swansea and Stoke in the higher echelons of the bottom half of the table. By no means should we be expecting stunning football at Selhurst Park, but we know we will have a solid unit with a lot of passion, alongside one of the noisiest, if not the noisiest fan bases in the League. Another solid season from the Eagles.

Key Man: Jason Puncheon - Puncheon has only been with Palace for a year after a loan spell followed by a permanent signing in January but has cemented himself as one of the key members of the squad. Operating on the right side of midfield, Puncheon has an ability to cut inside and use his much stronger left-foot. His prowess from midfield ended with him being the clubs joint highest goalscorer in the league, alongside Dwight Gayle. If Puncheon can add a few more assists to his game  then he will become even more dangerous and a fantasy league managers dream.

One to Watch: Glenn Murray - Murray endured an extremely difficult first season in the Premier League after a serious knee injury kept him out until February. With so little playing time it is no surprise that the 30-year-old struggled to adapt to life in the top flight. One thing we can say though is that Murray knows where the goal is - 30 Championship goals the year before if you had any doubt - and if he is allowed a run in the side do not be surprised if he starts scoring freely. To get into the starting eleven though he will need to fight off stiff competition from the likes of Gayle, Chamakh and, of course, our next man.

Best Summer Signing: Fraizer Campbell - In amongst a trio of careful summer signings comes a striker who has found glimpses of form over the last couple of seasons. Campbell has always been a player who has promised much and delivered in flashes but couldn't quite string together a season of solid performances. The question will be how much he will thrive at the front of a team who realistically do not provide a lot of service to their strikers. Competing against the other three strikers will be a struggle but Pulis should manage to get the best out of him.

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.