cdadmin

Chelsea's season preview and expected challenges next season

With the new Premier League season set to kick off this weekend, there is a sense of wonder about just which Chelsea side will turn up fo...


With the new Premier League season set to kick off this weekend, there is a sense of wonder about just which Chelsea side will turn up for the opening fixture against West Ham on Monday night.

The personnel that won the Premier League in 2014-15 is largely still at the club, but after a morale-sapping season last term, new manager Antonio Conte’s main job is to reinstate the feel-good factor at Stamford Bridge.

The Italian manager has a venerable record from his days at Juventus and getting the Blues back into contention for the Premier League title will be the passionate coach’s major task in 2016-17. 

A tenth-placed finish last season defied football predictions and was far from good enough for a team of Chelsea’s stature or befitting of a side with the quality that the Blues possess.

Conte has added a number of new faces to the squad he has inherited, with Belgian striker Michy Batshuayi and midfield workhorse N’Golo Kante signed at considerable expense. This pair are not expected to be the last new faces that arrive at the West London club, with the team that takes the pitch against West Ham set to be different to the one that is available after August 31.

Other major teams in the Premier League have strengthened their contingents, namely the Manchester clubs, and City are the favourites to be crowned champions at 9/4.

Much of Chelsea’s hopes of potentially winning their title back will be tied into Conte’s ability to get the club’s main players firing. The likes of Eden Hazard, Diego Costa, Cesc Fabregas and Nemanja Matic all had underwhelming campaigns in 2015-16 – despite being world-class, international players. If this quartet can start the season fit and firing there is every chance that the Blues can be in the running come May.

As it is, Chelsea are third favourites to win the title at odds of 5/1. Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea side that won the Premier League was built around a solid defensive core, which then turned into a major weakness for the club last term.

The likes of John Terry and Branislav Ivanovic, who were rocks of the side the season prior, started to look like liabilities and Conte will have making his back four watertight as a priority. Bank on the Blues signing a new central defender before the window closes, especially as Kurt Zouma is recovering from serious injury, and this will boost the club’s chances of major success.

The fact that Chelsea are not playing in European competition in 2016-17 will also serve as a benefit, with less fixtures to worry about and a domestic focus allowing the club to put all their eggs in the Premier League basket.

The ambition will be to return to Champions League football at the first time of asking, but while other challengers feel the strain of competing on a number of fronts, the Blues may well be able to take advantage. Conte is an accomplished manager with an excellent squad at his disposal – the sky is the limit for Chelsea in 2016-17.

Post a Comment

emo-but-icon

Twitter

Check out the best online casinos in india at CasinosIN.in

The Football Blog Network

Discover the best online casinos Canada has to offer at Casinos Online In. Choose a casino bonus and begin playing your favourite games and online slots!
Check out the UK's latest betting offers for upcoming Premier League matches at justbettingoffers.co.uk.
Get the best from your new online sportsbook ! It's recommended for soccer fans from the United States to explore the list of top US sports betting sites. Compare their bonuses before signing up with them and placing wagers on Chelsea matches.
For Chelsea odds this season check out Online Bookies for all the latest prices & leading offers.
To compare free bets for betting on Chelsea visit bestfreebets.org
Looking for the best offers on Football? Head to bookiesignupoffers.com
Looking for the best odds on Chelsea? Check out footballbettingsites.org.uk
Many canadian online casinos are best known for offering first time depositors with free spins and massive bonuses. Read reviews before signing up with any Canadian casino.
Are you looking for French casino games? goldenriviera casino en ligne is best known for providing the best casino games in France
Online casinos have become increasingly popular in New Zealand. With the rise of internet casinos, there's also a rise of bogus (fake) websites. Make sure you read casino reviews at crazyvegas online casino before you sign up with any casino.
Before you place any bets on Chelsea we suggest get these bookmakers free bets
Look! The latest Chelsea odds here at bestonlinebettingsites.co.uk make sure you check it out!
For the best Chelsea offers on the 20/21 season check out bestfreebetoffers now!
Chelsea latest news All Football News - Chelsea HERE
If you're looking to place your football bets on a new sportsbook, then look no further as Betiton is your new home for football betting!
With so many operators in the Irish market, betinireland.ie reviewed the best football betting sites in their guide.
Wanna bet on the best FIFA World Cup Betting Sites? Check out mybettingsite.uk
item