On reflection, Chelsea actually won the 2014-15 Premier League title before a ball had even been kicked.
Having fallen short during the previous campaign, Jose Mourinho recruited Spain internationals Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas, while goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was recalled from a loan spell with Atletico Madrid.
The result? Costa weighed in with 20 goals, Fabregas made a division-high 18 assists and Courtois kept 12 clean sheets to help the Blues win a first title in five years.
Now comes the hard part as Mourinho's men look to the defend the trophy, just as they did under his guidance between 2004 and 2006. Here, Sports Mole assesses whether or not they will be able to do that.
In
Nathan (Atletico Paranaense), Radamel Falcao (AS Monaco, season-long loan), Asmir Begovic (Stoke City)
Out
Christian Atsu (Bournemouth, season-long loan), Didier Drogba (Released), Gael Kakuta (Sevilla), Petr Cech (Arsenal), Mario Pasalic (AS Monaco, season-long loan), Josh McEachran (Brentford), Izzy Brown (Vitesse Arnhem, season-long loan), Lewis Baker (Vitesse Arnhem, season-long loan), Marco van Ginkel (Stoke City, season-long loan), Tomas Kalas (Middlesbrough, season-long loan), Patrick Bamford (Crystal Palace, season-long loan), Filipe Luis (Atletico Madrid)
Last season - 1st
Manager - Jose Mourinho
© Getty Images
There is not much to write about the Portuguese boss that hasn't already been written. Love him or loathe him, what cannot be denied is that Mourinho is a serial winner. He showed his tactical acumen last term on many occasions as his side played fantastic football to see off some of the division's lesser sides, before tightening things up for the bigger games. For example, he was never too embarrassed to start with an extra defensive midfielder, even if it was at the expense of an attack-minded player.
Not only will the Premier League be in Mourinho's sights once again, the Champions League will also be in the forefront of his thinking. It's a trophy that has so far eluded him in his two spells in charge at Stamford Bridge. It will mean that a balancing act is required from the 52-year-old and with a relatively small squad to select from, it will test his managerial capabilities to the max.
Key Player - Eden Hazard
The Belgian was without a doubt the best player in the Premier League last term. He scored 14 goals, completed more dribbles than any other player and also created the most chances from open play. Yet, if Hazard is ever going to be regarded as one of the greats of his generation, he needs to take things up an extra notch or two this season.
As it stands, comparisons between the 24-year-old and Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are wide of the mark. In the last two campaigns, Hazard has found the net on 36 occasions, while during that same period Messi has scored 99 goals and Ronaldo has fired in 112. Therein lies the task ahead for Hazard - he must score more goals. Nobody will be expecting him to reach the limits of those two just yet, but a 20 to 25-goal haul should not be beyond him.
© Getty Images
Possible starting lineup
Courtois; Ivanovic, Terry, Cahill, Azpilicueta; Matic, Fabregas; Willian, Oscar, Hazard; Costa
First game: Swansea City (H) Full fixture list
Sports Mole says
Chelsea are yet to add a player this summer that has made a significant improvement to the starting lineup. Nevertheless, from one to 11, it can be argued that their rivals are still trailing behind. Those that were around last term now know what it takes to win a title and such experience could prove to be vital, particularly during the closing stages.
One reason for concern, though, would be Costa. He may have scored 20 Premier League goals last term, yet he featured in fewer matches than the now-departed Didier Drogba because of hamstring injuries. It seems to be a complaint that the striker has taken into this season, having sat out the Community Shield to nurse a strain. If Radamel Falcao can rediscover his Atletico Madrid form, Costa's absence would not be that big an issue, but at present the Colombian is lacking that sharpness. Having said that, if Costa can be managed properly from a fitness point of view, the Blues will go very close.
Prediction - 1st
Liam Apicella
