Each day from now until the beginning of the Premier League season, we will preview two teams from England’s top flight. You can view them all here at PST Preview central. Don’t forget, the 2013-14 PL season begins on August 17th, and for the first-time ever you can watch every game live on NBC Sports.
Chelsea are the Champions elect heading into the 2013-14 Premier League season. Last year under Rafael Benitez they managed to finish third and win the Europa League, following Roberto Di Matteo’s early departure. Not bad. But with José Mourinho returning as manager, Chelsea now have the man they want. The club have won the Premier League three times, two of those came in Mourinho’s first two seasons in charge at Stamford Bridge last time out in 2004-06. They’ve only ever won the title four times and before mega-rich Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich bought them back in 2003, Chelsea’s only league success was way back in 1955. Times have changed, titles and European success is expected. The Special One is back... so expect something special from Chelsea this season.
The West Londoners are now a global brand but they still harbor fierce grudges against London’s other elite teams. Neighbors Fulham are less than two miles away from Stamford Bridge but London derbies against Arsenal, West Ham and Spurs are hotly contested too.
Transfers In: Andre Schurrle (Bayer Leverkusen), Mario van Ginkel (Vitesse Arnhem), Mark Schwarzer (Fulham)
Transfers Out: Yossi Benayoun, Florent Malouda (Trabzonspor), Paulo Ferreira, Ross Turnbull (Doncaster Rovers), Thibaut Courtois (Atletico Madrid), Marko Marin (Sevilla), Oriol Romeu (Valencia)
Chelsea’s Spanish midfielder Juan Mata (R) vies with Tottenham Hotspur’s Brazilian midfielder Sandro (L) during their English Premier League football match at White Hart Lane in London, England on October 20, 2012. AFP PHOTO/GLYN KIRK RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo credit should read GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images)
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Key Player:
Chelsea have a whole host of players who can change a game in an instance. Frank Lampard, Oscar, Ramires and Fernando Torres to name a few. But one man makes Chelsea tick: Juan Mata (pictured).
The diminutive Spaniard will be hoping that a great 2013-14 campaign will cement his spot in Spain’s starting lineup at the World Cup in Brazil. Mata quietly had a sublime season last time out, scoring 20 goals and adding 35 assists in Chelsea’s marathon season of 64 games. Mata, 25, will be in his third season for the Blues and is the creative hub of the London side.
This could be his best season yet if Mourinho let’s him roam free to combine with Oscar, Eden Hazard, Ramires and others. Mata on top form could see Chelsea win the title quite comfortably.
Manager:
The Special One is back. Brace yourself. Returning for his second spell at Chelsea, José Mourinho has a tough job to better the titles he won first time around. The Portuguese manager will be aiming for Champions League success above all else, but the Premier League title will be a priority. His charisma and unpredictability make him the most exciting manager in the league and he calls Chelsea his second home. Mourinho is ready to prove the doubters wrong after a tumultuous time at Real Madrid. Expect more snappy catchphrases, glaring looks and controversy from one of the greatest coaches in history.
Outlook:
Chelsea are the bookies favorites to win the title. The return of Mourinho has galvanized the squad and a strong defense will allow their creative flair to flourish. The upheaval at Manchester United and Manchester City helps Chelsea’s chances of winning the title. Senior players like Lampard and John Terry will play a big part this year and Mourinho’s familiarity with the club and its players will make the transition easy. Can Chelsea win it all?
MORE: Read all the Premier League previews for each team here
