2015-16 Premier League Season Preview: Chelsea
Welcome to theScore's 2015-16 preview of Chelsea. Transfer dealings, lineup projections, and everything else you need to know about the club's upcoming campaign.
Chelsea
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho won't have to tinker too much with his side in the offseason: he's built himself a group of champions. With five Premier League titles to the team's name, Mourinho will use the 2015-16 season as a chance to achieve greatness in the form of a treble and a Champions League crown.
It's the one trophy that has eluded Mourinho during his time at Stamford Bridge. Mourinho won the Champions League with FC Porto in 2004 and Inter Milan in 2010, but a Chelsea victory at the biggest stage remains his No. 1 priority. For Chelsea, repeating a league title just won't be enough this season. It's all or nothing for Chelsea in 2015-16.
2014-15 Season
| Record (Points) | Finish | Goals For | Goals Against | Top Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26-9-3 (87) | 1st | 73 | 32 | Diego Costa (20) |
Trophies Won: Premier League, League Cup
Champions. The 2014-15 season was a memorable one for Blues fans, as Chelsea skipper John Terry lifted the Premier League trophy once again. Chelsea lost just three games all season, steamrolling through much of the competition. More importantly, Chelsea won games despite playing poor at times; apart from one horror showing in a 5-3 loss against Tottenham, Chelsea was dominant throughout the season. Against the other league giants, Chelsea held teams to draws or beat them by small margins, never really piling on goals on any one particular team but being ruthless when it mattered.
While a Champions League final spot never materialized, Mourinho's side had the league title wrapped up with about a month left. Rounding it all off was a League Cup win, giving Chelsea a pair of trophies to add to its silverware cabinet.
Key Arrivals
- Asmir Begovic (Stoke City)
- Radamel Falcao (Loan, AS Monaco)
Begovic arrives in support of Chelsea's current No. 1 choice between the posts, Thibaut Courtois, which brings to an end the goalkeeper-selection saga of last season. Falcao joins Chelsea on loan from AS Monaco. Expectations for the Colombian striker are significantly lowered, however, after Falcao struggled to adapt to life in England with Manchester United last season.
Key Departures
- Didier Drogba (Released, Montreal Impact)
- Petr Cech (Arsenal)
- Felipe Luis (Atletico Madrid)
Projected Starting Lineup (4-2-3-1)
Thibaut Courtois; Branislav Ivanovic, Gary Cahill, John Terry, Cesar Azpilicueta; Cesc Fabregas, Nemanja Matic, Oscar, Willian, Eden Hazard; Diego Costa
Chelsea's squad remains relatively unchanged from last season's, and for good reason: Mourinho has built a team that can compete in the Premier League and win games at the death. This is a side that features plenty of star players. Eden Hazard is the key piece in this roster, and Chelsea will look to get him on the ball as much as possible; Costa is the goal-scoring machine up top and around the box; and Fabregas is the engine in midfield that makes everything tick.
The only variable right now is Falcao. The Colombian didn't have a great first season with Manchester United last year, but if he rediscovers his form from his time at Atletico Madrid, he could challenge Costa for a starting role. Or, if Mourinho is feeling particularly adventurous, he and Costa could combine up top, at the expense of Oscar or Willian in a flat 4-4-2. The possibilities are endless for this Chelsea team. The only question is whether the side is deep enough or strong enough to compete for both a Premier League and a Champions League title.
Player To Watch: Eden Hazard
Last season, Hazard made his case for the PFA Player of the Year title loud and clear. His impressive work rate, skill, and goal-scoring ability made him the focal point of Chelsea's attack, and put him in conversation with the likes of Neymar and Luis Suarez as one of the top three players in the world. While Hazard is not quite at the level of Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi, he's pretty close, so he's worth watching out for this season. If Hazard has a breakout year, those conversations will be a lot more serious.
Keep One Eye On: Hazard
Three Questions
- Can Chelsea repeat its Premier League win in 2015-16?
- Will Falcao find the form that once made him a star?
- Can Mourinho win the Champions League with Chelsea, too?
Trivial Matters
- Manager: Jose Mourinho
- Nickname: The Blues
- Stadium: Stamford Bridge