Chelsea will begin the defence of their title tomorrow as they take on Swansea City at Stamford Bridge in the evening kick off; in the same fixture last year we came out 4-2 winners. In that match there was a first Chelsea hat-trick for Diego Costa. Loic Remy also scored his first Chelsea goal in the same game.
The champions of the previous season have a near-perfect record on the opening day of the Premier League. In the whole of the Premier League era the champions of the previous season have never lost on the opening weekend. This has seen them win 20 matches and draw three.
Chelsea are also unbeaten on the opening weekend of the Premier League for 16 matches, the last defeat on the opening day was way back in the 1998/99 season where we lost at Coventry 2-1.
Swansea have also never beaten Chelsea in the Premier League, losing every game at Stamford Bridge. It doesn’t get much better for Garry Monk either, as he has lost all 3 encounters with Chelsea as a manager.
It doesn’t come any tougher than this start, going to the home of the champions. But we will relish the challenge and try to come away having put on a good performance. I think they’re the favourites for the title.
They set such a good standard last year and have added to the squad. They’re very adaptable, and won the league comfortably towards the end. We will be preparing for the best Chelsea side, but hopefully we can go there and put a performance on after a good pre-season.
 Garry Monk, Source: Swansea City Website
Chelsea had a short pre-season, only playing 5 games in total. The Blues failed to win any of these games inside the 90 minutes and will be keen to get back to winning ways starting from tomorrow.
New York Red Bulls 4-2 Chelsea
PSG 1-1 Chelsea (Chelsea won on penalties)
Chelsea 2-2 Barcelona (Chelsea won on penalties)
Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea
Chelsea 0-1 Fiorentina
Chelsea got off to a tremendous start last season and didn’t lose their first game of the whole campaign until early December away at Newcastle. Mourinho and his squad will be hoping to replicate that early season form and get to the top of the table near the start to give us an early advantage in the title race.
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Chelsea have kept the spine of their title winning squad by not selling or releasing any of the first team regular starters. However two Chelsea legends with a tonne of experience in Petr Cech and Didier Drogba have both departed which will have an effect in the dressing room.
Diego Costa is a doubt for tomorrow’s game due to a hamstring injury, Mourinho has said he is unsure whether he will be available or not.Swansea have added some potentially important players to their squad in Andre Ayew and Eder, both will be hoping to play a big role tomorrow. They have also added Franck Tabanou and Kristoffer Nordfeldt to their squad.
The Welsh side don’t have any reported injury concerns ahead of the Premier League opener.