Chelsea started their campaign at Stamford Bridge with a draw against Swansea, a result Jose Mourinho won’t be too happy about.
Oscar gave the Blues the lead in the first half with a beautifully struck free kick, though the bodies that came across it blinded the goalkeeper. New signing for Swansea, Andre ‘Dede’ Ayew gave the Swans their much needed equalizer in the 29th minute, a situation the Swans did not enjoy too long.
Willian’s 30th minute strike deflected off Federico Fernandez into the net to make it 2-1.
Then came the Courtois moment in the second half when he got sent off after a tackle on the onrushing Bafetimbi Gomis. The big striker stepped up and scored to make it 2-2.
However, for Blues fans, there were a few things to pick from a pulsating game, one that momentarily could contest the ‘game of the season’.
Monstrous Montero burns Ivanovic
Branislav Ivanovic has been a great servant for the Blues with great acts of defending and the knack to score the big odd goal. However, he was absolutely exploited in Chelsea first game of the season against Swansea.
He was dribbled past, bamboozled, and basically put on a barbecue by Montero on Saturday.
Some may point to the fact that he may not have fully recovered from pre-season’s demands but weren’t we all aware the season was starting on the 8th August? Ivanovic played like he was still on vacation.
Montero showed little fear of playing at the Bridge against arguably the league’s best right back.
If Chelsea are to retain the league this season, their strongest department needs shoring up and Ivanovic’s is a clear candidate of one that needs change.
The Serb all too well the capabilities of Cezar Azpilicueta and whatever the reason is for his awful performance, he needs to get going this season.
Oscar probably returning to form
Yes! The brilliant number 11 man whipped a free kick in before getting sacrificed after Thibaut Courtois’ sending off.
It’s easy to pick his goal that curled past Swansea goalkeeper Lucasz Fabianski into the bottom right corner to give Chelsea the lead as the highlight, but the man certainly delivered in his main duty – working for the team.
He bossed a packed midfield, helping the ever clever Eden Hazard in the attacking positions against Swansea; the only unfortunate thing to happen to Oscar was his substitution in the second half.
For a player much criticized for lighting up in the first half of the season then going off color after January, his performance shouldn’t blow you away just yet.
Begovic is a handful
It was a difficult task for Asmir Begovic to do anything about the penalty created by the mistake of Courtois, but he certainly cleared any air of nervousness and doubt around Stamford Bridge.
The former Stoke City safe pair of hands was on hand to save Chelsea a number of times before the full time whistle.
Yes, Petr Cech is left to Arsenal but even the worst critics of that move will have something to shout about after Begovic’s outstanding saves kept Chelsea in the game in his cameo.
Jose can’t be convinced by that bench
Begovic, Zouma, Ramires, Mikel, Moses, Remy, Falcao were the options Mourinho has to pick from in case of tactical changes or when the team screams for technical improvements.
Falcao, Zouma and Begovic were the men that got a taste of the 2014/2015 Premier League season as Jose was pressured to make drastic changes after Courtois’ red card.
Perhaps, Moses could have had a taste of the action but that was all Mourinho had to choose from.
The month of August should be an interesting one for Chelsea in the market especially as Zouma was the only defender Jose could count on.
Roman Abramovich’s nail biting spree lasted 90 minutes as he watched on knowing the post match meeting with Mourinho will come with big demands – defense, midfield and attack all need more quality.
Chelsea lacked ideas in attack
With Hazard the only one capable of breaking down the Swansea defense, creativity was AWOL at Stamford Bridge on the opening day of the Premier League for Chelsea.
Oscar, Willian and Fabregas offer one dimensional style to the Blues attack and when Hazard left the pitch injured in stoppage time, it was a wonder how Chelsea thought they could find space behind the Swansea solid defense.
Like mentioned before, Moses was the only option to pick from to change the style Chelsea started with or bring more creativity to that midfield.
This is a big concern for Jose particularly as winter signing Juan Cuadrado hasn’t yet turned up for the party, even so a few additions in the right areas should give Chelsea the edge in a potentially very competitive season.
