Manager – Andres Villas Boas
Stadium – Stamford Bridge 42,055
2010/2011 – 2nd
thrashing Wigan by the same score line at the D W Stadium. They experienced their first defeat six weeks in, as Man City beat the 2009/2010 champions 1-0, thanks to a Carlos Tevez goal. A period which defined Chelsea’s season came about around Christmas, in the month of November, in which the club only won one game against Fulham. This month saw them lose to Liverpool, and included a 3-0 thrashing at home to Sunderland. December saw no improvement as the West London side gained 5 points out of a possible 12, winning only once against Bolton. Over the two months before January, Ancelotti’s side won only 9 points out of a maximum 27 points, a period of results which would cost the former Champions League finalists. Heading into the New Year, Chelsea remained competitive in both the F.A Cup and the Champion’s League, after failing to advance past Newcastle United in the Carling Cup. The defending FA Cup holders however fell in the fourth round, to Everton, at Stamford Bridge on Penalties. This allowed Ancelotti to focus on the Chelsea fans main priorities, the League and the Champions League, which had so far eluded Chelsea. As the January transfer window opened, Roman Abramovich’s millions allowed Chelsea to become the main focus point throughout the month. First to arrive was the versatile Brazilian David Luiz from Benfica for a fee thought to exceed £20million. He joined his former team-mate Ramires who also joined from Benfica in August 2010, for a similar fee. Next to arrive, in possibly the most controversial move of the season, was Fernando Torres from Liverpool for £50million, in what became the most expensive British transfer on 31st January 2011. Chelsea’s form improved during 2011, and included wins over Man Utd and Man City. However, Torres failed to settle, and became increasingly frustrated over his lack of goals. By the end of March, Chelsea had moved up to third in the table, 9 points behind Man Utd, with a game in hand. Despite a draw away at Stoke, Chelsea went on to win their next five games comfortably. Unfortunately, Ancelotti’s side were knocked out of the Champions League, with eventual finalists Man Utd advancing at their expense. As the season unravelled, Torres’ form deteriorated, failing to live up to his £50million price tag, scoring his only goal in a 3-0 win against West Ham. Man Utd practically ended any hope of a title challenge, with a 2-1 win at Old Trafford three games before the season close. One point in the final two games, as well as Arsenals poor form saw Chelsea finish 2nd on goal difference, ahead of Man City. This finish was deemed unsatisfactory by Roman Abramovich, with Carlo Ancelotti promptly sacked after the season had finished.
Chelsea are again, expected to challenge for the title this season. Under the new management of Andres Villas Boas, the employment of Roberto Di Matteo could prove a shrewd move. It is already understood that Villas Boas speaks fluent English, and that alongside his assembled back room staff, he has lay down the law to his players. I believe they will finish comfortably in the top four, challenging Man Utd, Liverpool and Man City for the automatic Champions League qualifying places. Chelsea will expect success immediately, targeting both the league title and the Champions League next season. Signings however are needed to strengthen their double bid, with Luka Modric’s proposed move from Spurs continuing to elude Villas Boas, despite the midfielders transfer request. Other midfield targets including Scott Parker, Yann M’Villa and Javier Pastore are thought to be in line to replace the injured Michael Essien. Other players rumoured to be on their way to Stamford Bridge include Romelu Lukaku and Falcao, which could signal the exits of either Nicholas Anelka or Dider Drogba. Whoever arrives and whoever departs, Chelsea fans will expect improvements from star striker Fernando Torres, if the club are to be successful in the coming campaign.
Highlights of 2010/2011 – Explosive start to the season, David Luiz signing.
Lowlights of 2010/2011 – Form in November and December. Failure in Domestic Cups and Champions League. Torres’ form after £50million move.
What to expect in 2011/2012.
Andres Villas Boas, the 33 year old former FC Porto manager has been handed the Chelsea job for the upcoming season. Chelsea have been rumoured to have paid £13.3million in compensation to Jose Mourinho’s former club. Chelsea fans expect a new beginning under Mourinho’s former employee, during his time at Chelsea, with Villas Boas being part of his backroom staff during Mourinho’s three years at Stamford Bridge. Torres has failed to flourish through-out pre-season, scoring only once against Wycombe. Chelsea’s faithful will hope he begins to repay the outstanding fee they paid for him last January, and start finding the back of the net. Chelsea have made two official signing in young goalkeeper Thibaut Courtious and Barcelona midfielder Oriol Romeu, but as expected, they are continued to be linked with a number of big moves. Worries that the squad are too old to mount both a serious title challenge and compete in Europe have been expressed by many, including former manager Guss Hiddink. Last year’s squad commanded the average age of 29, and with Villas Boas the same age as Nicholas Anelka, Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba, some Chelsea fans may be slightly apprehensive about the upcoming season. Signings are expected, with many names branded as possible introductions, but what Chelsea fans do realise, is that strengthening is needed, if they expect to compete with big spenders, Man Utd, Man City and Liverpool.
Signings –
Thibaut Courtious, Racing Genk - £7million
Oriol Romeu, Barcelona - £4.2million
Other potential signings –
Luka Modric, Tottenham Hotspur - £35million
Neymar, Santos - £35million
Yann M’Villa, Rennes - £15million
Javier Pastore, Palermo - £35million
Danielle De Rossi, AS Roma - £21million
Hulk, F.C Porto - £18million
Joao Moutinho, F.C Porto - £20million
Radmael Falcao, F.C Porto - £26million
Gregory Van Der Wiel, Ajax - £12million
Scott Parker, West Ham - £4million (Loan deal)
Gary Cahil, Bolton Wanderers - £12million
Romelu Lukaku, Anderlecht - £20million
Departures –
Thibaut Courtious, Atheltico Madrid - Loan
Michael Mancienne, Hamburg - £1.75million
Jeffrey Bruma, Hamburg – Loan
Fabio Borini, Parma – Free
Jack Cork, Southampton – Undisclosed Fee
Other potential departures –
Daniel Sturridge, Bolton/Newcastle – Loan
Nicholas Anelka, PSG/New York Red Bulls – Undisclosed fee
Didier Drogba, Tottenham Hotspur/Marseille/ AC Milan – Undisclosed fee
Bosingwa, Juventus - £8million
Yuri Zhirkov, CSKA Moscow/Zenit St Petersburg/ Rubin Kazan - £8million
Alex, Real Madrid - £6million
Possible Starting XI’s
4-1-2-3
Cech
Ivanovic, Terry, Luiz, Cole
Mikel
Lampard, Ramires
Drogba, Torres, Malouda
If Modric, Parker and Falcao sign
4-1-2-3
Cech
Ivanovic, Terry, Luiz, Cole
Parker
Lampard, Modric
Falcao, Drogba, Torres
Alternative
4-1-3-2
Cech
Ivanovic, Terry, Alex, Cole
Luiz
Lampard, Benayoun, Modric
Drogba, Torres
Prediction
3rd
Chelsea are again, expected to challenge for the title this season. Under the new management of Andres Villas Boas, the employment of Roberto Di Matteo could prove a shrewd move. It is already understood that Villas Boas speaks fluent English, and that alongside his assembled back room staff, he has lay down the law to his players. I believe they will finish comfortably in the top four, challenging Man Utd, Liverpool and Man City for the automatic Champions League qualifying places. Chelsea will expect success immediately, targeting both the league title and the Champions League next season. Signings however are needed to strengthen their double bid, with Luka Modric’s proposed move from Spurs continuing to elude Villas Boas, despite the midfielders transfer request. Other midfield targets including Scott Parker, Yann M’Villa and Javier Pastore are thought to be in line to replace the injured Michael Essien. Other players rumoured to be on their way to Stamford Bridge include Romelu Lukaku and Falcao, which could signal the exits of either Nicholas Anelka or Dider Drogba. Whoever arrives and whoever departs, Chelsea fans will expect improvements from star striker Fernando Torres, if the club are to be successful in the coming campaign.
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