Chelsea Team Review 2016/17 Key Player, Predictions and Matches to Look Out For

Never has the Premier League been so cut-throat or competitive as the 2016/17 season promises to be, making it imperative that Chelsea qualify for the Champions League after missing out last time around.

Labelling last year’s 11th place finish as mediocre would be seen as charitable, given that the same group of players were crowned Premier League champions 12 months earlier. On the other hand, a new wave of optimism is reverberating around Stamford Bridge following the appointment of charismatic Italian Antonio Conte and the exciting signings of striker Michy Batshuyi and midfielder N’Golo Kante so far this summer.

Further reinforcements will be pivotal in ensuring a successful first campaign at the helm for the former Juventus boss, but reinstating the Blues to the summit of English football is no immediate renovation.

 

Chelsea’s Star Players

Chelsea Hazard

The Blues are blessed with a wealth of top-class players including Brazilian star Willian and former Barcelona stars and Spanish World Cup winners Cesc Fabregas and Pedro. However, it is Eden Hazard who remains the jewel in Chelsea’s crown despite his spectacular downfall last year.

However, there were encouraging signs towards the end of the campaign as the Belgian playmaker began to show flashes of the form that earned him the prestigious FWA Footballer of the Year and the PFA Players' Player of the Year awards in Chelsea’s title-winning campaign.

The indomitable style of Kante promises to add power and vigour to the Chelsea midfield and Conte’s decision to retain the services of Captain John Terry could prove to be a shrewd move.

 

Predicted Finish

Chelsea have been vastly outspent by their main title rivals, but Conte’s tactical initiative and being without the distraction of Champions League football could be a blessing in disguise for the West London club. Ultimately, I see them being outgunned by the two Manchester clubs and finishing third – a conclusion far from disastrous given the turbulence and turmoil

 

Top Goal Scorer

Diego Costa’s explosive start to life in the Premier League saw him net 20 times as his instinctive partnership with Fabregas guided the Blues to the Premier League title and League Cup in the 2014-15 season. However, he scored just 12 times last year, but his physical and combative style is always a nuisance to opposing defenders. The arrival of youngster Batshuyi from Marseille will provide much needed competition for the Spaniard as he looks to build on from the 17 goals he accumulated in Ligue 1 last year.

 

History Of Chelsea

The club has experienced phenomenal success since Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich bought the club in 2003. Between them, Carlo Ancelotti and Jose Mourinho delivered four Premier league titles and two FA Cups to Stamford Bridge, although it is current Aston Villa manager Roberto Di Matteo who was at the helm for the club’s golden moment when he led the club to their first and only Champions League glory on a dramatic evening in Munich. Chelsea remain the only British club to have won all three of the major UEFA club competitions.

 

Managers

Chelsea Conte

Stamford Bridge has been home to some of the greatest names in the world. Many glittering names have had the privilege of managing a club blessed with a rich history including the likes of Guus Hiddink, Glenn Hoddle and the legendary Ted Drake who guided the club to their only league title of the 20th century. Nevertheless, it is the self-proclaimed “Special One” who was the first manager to turn Abramovich's fortune into a cohesive and successful team. The question is…can Conte do one better?

 

Key Games To Look Out For

Fans will be eagerly anticipating the London derbies against Arsenal (September) and Tottenham (November) which always promise ample doses of high drama and major talking points. Mourinho makes his return to Stamford Bridge as Manchester United manager in between these clashes and will except a great reception for the success he enjoyed during his two spells in charge.

 

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