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Predicted Premier League: Champions
So we’ve reached the eve of the Premier League season, and with it we crown out predicted Premier League Champions. It pains me to say it, but I think the title is going to posh part of London…
Chelsea missed out because of lack of experienced flair players in midfield and a top striker. They’ve signed Costa and Fabregas, whilst I think Oscar and Schurrle have also come of age
Team: Chelsea
Manager: Jose Mourinho
Arguably the best manager in the world, and one that will not have been happy with finishing last season empty handed. He’s a prickly character and can rub people up the wrong way but he has never failed to get the most out of a team, and has had unprecedented success in every league he has worked in. I think this could be his season to shine in the Premier League again although he has to be careful not to be too defensive this season because it is a mindset that’s hard to get out of.
Key Player: Eden Hazard
One of the best young players in the world at only 23, he showed a lot of maturity last season to become one of the Premier League’s best players. He has the ability to create something out of nothing, beat his man one-on-one and even put in a good shift defensively. His link up play with Oscar and Fabregas this year could be key because sometimes last season Chelsea got bogged down going forward and struggled to break the tougher teams down, something Mourinho will not want to happen this year.
Best feature: Hugely versatile squad
In my opinion Chelsea are the only Premier League side capable of playing both an extremely flair and creative based game and an extremely defensive minded game to the same level. Their players, and the squad as a whole, is strong enough throughout that the play can shift completely one game to the next and they will still look as comfortable in each system. The one criticism I do have though is that if you play too defensive too often it’s a hard mould to break out of, and becoming more defensive during a game is a lot easier that trying to push forward if you’re lagging behind.
Worst Feature: Defensive mindset
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As I alluded to above, sometimes Chelsea play too defensively for their own good. Not that they’re bad at playing a ‘park the bus game’ but if you play three of those in a row then try to attack the next game you can suffer from a lack of practice. I think the addition of Costa and Fabregas could well help them this year, but they will need to make sure keeping a clean sheet doesn’t become all consuming.
PIA Writer’s opinions:
BW: “Sometimes great players are only great because of the system they are in, and the summer signings of Chelsea don’t seem like great fits to Jose Mourinho’s rigid counter attacking system. 4th”
DB: “Much as it pains an Arsenal man to put this squad at the zenith of the table, Chelsea is set for another sustained title challenge. Had only Diego Costa been added, Arsenal would occupy this spot, but the addition of Fabregas nudges the needle ever so slightly to Stamford Bridge. 1st ”
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