Chelsea’s opening fixture of the 2014/15 campaign saw the Blues begin the game with what was possibly their strongest starting line-up in years, leading fans to believe that there are no big transfers on the horizon, as we enter the last two weeks of the summer window.
Disappointed, sure, but understandable. In Fabregas and Costa, Jose has the complete team. Looking all around the pitch in Monday night’s game, it was difficult to see where anybody was a liability. So maybe, this time around, Jose really did mean that ‘business is done’.
The two new signings looked more than ready to compete in the Premier League, with Fabregas racking up two early assists, and Costa with a goal on his Chelsea debut. The two Spanish internationals offered the Blues an asset that was lacking in last season’s performances, and in truth, it was games like Monday night’s fixture where Chelsea would often slip up last term.
But if nobody is to exit the Bridge, then surely nobody should be brought in. What we have now is a confident, balanced team which looks like title contenders. Mourinho has the luxury of almost having two players for every position, and the two players in each position are all as capable as each other when it comes down to it.
The calls for a fourth striker are perhaps unnecessary.
In Didier Drogba Chelsea have a striker who is happy to be third choice, but at the same time he offers a similar game to that of Diego Costa, if the Spaniard was to suffer an injury. And looking back, the Lukaku deal starts to make more sense. Drogba is nearing the end of his career – a player suitable to fit into the team when needed. Lukaku, on the other hand, is only improving. To leave him on the bench would really halt his progress, and in truth, the striker doesn’t know the team like Didier does.
The midfield looks all but complete; Fabregas proving the perfect partner for Nemanja Matic. In Schurrle, Hazard, Oscar, Willian and Salah the Blues are spoilt for choice. All can bring something different to the table, and the ability to change a game given the chance.
The only question lies with the back four. Mourinho’s back-ups in the centre-back role come in the form of Kurt Zouma and Branislav Ivanovic, perhaps suggesting there could be one more to be bought.
Were you happy with the line-up for Monday’s game? What would you change? Let us know in the comments below!
