A new manager along with some promising youngsters looks set to signal a new era under the Abromavich rule. Last season was disappointing given our great start. First with the Wilkins sacking and then trying to shoehorn Torres into a new system undid us. There were still positives though. Luiz and Ramires look excellent prospects and Sturridge comes back to the Bridge looking to kick on from his great stint at Boltan. Last season also proved to the doubters that Roman is far from losing interest and is there to back us for the long term.
This season I have high hopes but with caution as always (been a Chelsea fan too long to know everything is plain sailing). An excellent pre season winning all our games conceding just one sets us up nicely for the campaign ahead. Main aim has to be winning the title back, with winning the Champions League the icing on the cake. An FA Cup wouldn't go amiss either
Going on pre season form and line ups I will set out what I believe our first eleven will look like without suspensions/injury (except Essien as he is out for ages). With so many options it's impossible to really predict but here goes:
--------------Cech------------
Bosingwa--Alex--Terry---Cole
--------------Mikel------------
----Ramires------------------
---------------Lampard------
-Sturridge-----------Malouda--
------------Drogba-----------
Def:
Ivanovich for Bosingwa very possible. Only picked Bos because he looked good in pre season but wouldn't be surprised to see Ivan line up against a physical Stoke side next week. Luiz is also having some trouble with his knee which could give Alex a chance to reform his partnership with Terry. Expect to see Ryan Bertrand get some game time over the course of the season if he doesn't go out on loan.
Mid:
Essien out is a blow, so will have to hope we see the good Mikel and not the cack one which can be painful to watch. Looked good in pre season at least. I expect Mceachran to get a lot of game time in the mid also. Has had an excellent pre season, hardly put a foot wrong and looks comfortable in the first team set up now. Bennie should also get a fair bit of gametime. Enough to be a FF pick? Maybe, but if Modric turns up forget it. Lampard still a nailed on starter and barring injury should be back to his best.
STR:
Shame Sturridge is unavailable for the first 3 games, so I expect Anelka to be first in line on the right of the front three to start the season. Sturridge has been excellent pre season working on the right wing, cutting onto his trusted left so is my pick to nail that right slot ahead of Anelka/Kalou when given the chance.
Malouda should cement the left birth up front providing his form doesn't fall off a cliff face.
The central role. Where does Torres fit in? Eff knows. He did start to look his old self in pre season, but if Drogba starts against Stoke and hits form in that central role it's difficult to see where he will operate. Maybe AVB will alter the 433 to a 4411 with Torres upfront alone and Drog playing behind? Playing them side by side just doesn't really look an option to me. It's really one or the other but lets see how AVB plays it in the opening fixtures. Maybe it will be a case of whoever looks to be training best will get the nod from game to game. I expect Drogba to start up front against Stoke, but it's really anyones guess.
New signing Lukaku looks a great prospect. This season I don't expect him to get too much game time. More an understudy role with Drogba the man he will eventually replace. Could be sooner rather than later if he grabs any chance he gets.
................Luis won't surely start next Sunday now, will he ?
