Chelsea opened their campaign with a potentially tricky away game at the Britannia Stadium, home to Stoke City. In achieving a 0-0 draw, Andre Villas-Boas, Chelsea’s rookie manager, might arguably be satisfied by negotiating this baptism of fire with his unbeaten record still in tact.
There were indeed reasons for optimism, principally in the shape of Fernando Torres, who looked to have rediscovered his sparkle which was so conspicuous by its absence last season. His first summer off in 4 years would appear to have done wonders for him, though he will only truly settle when he has opened his account for the season. He looked to turn his defender, which he managed on more than one occasion and showed his first touch had returned. Torres probably did not deserve to be given Man of the Match in a game so dominated by the stoppers on either side but Chelsea fans can be encouraged. With Didier Drogba coming off the bench and Daniel Sturridge available as well as the soon-to-be-signed Romelu Lukaku it surely will not be long before 2 strikers are deployed from the start.
In defence Chelsea looked customarily strong with Petr Cech dealing well with the particular challenges faced against Stoke and Alex deputising ably for the unavailable David Luiz. Jose Bosingwa was given a morale boosting start given that there were rumours over the summer that he might be one of the players leaving Stamford Bridge. With Ashley Cole at left back and Branislav Ivanovic a most useful deputy in a number of positions, the defence should remain a strength of Chelsea’s.
Midfield is the area of the pitch which has prompted most speculation in the summer with a lack of creativity being blamed for Chelsea’s ultimately unsuccessful tilt at the title last year. Their attempts to signed Luka Modric from Spurs have lasted the duration of the off season and will surely run and run until the window slams shut at midnight on August 31st. Michael Essien’s injury, ruling him out for the first half of the season, has heightened speculation, but Modric’s appeal was apparent well before Essien’s injury and he would not be a like for like replacement. Raul Meireles has also been mentioned in dispatches as a potential signing. Modric, though, has always been Chelsea’s primary target and the way in which the saga is resolved will have a huge bearing on their season.
Currently, Chelsea only have Yossi Benayoun in that midfield creator bracket, with Lampard being much more a dynamic, driving midfielder although that should not denigrate his creativity. Rather, it’s not his primary asset. Young Josh McEachren is being tipped to replicate Jack Wilshere’s success of last season at Arsenal, but for all that that is to be commended, the reliance on such an inexperienced player at the Emirates last season bore no fruit in terms of trophies. McEachren will come into the side more and more, but he is not the answer to Chelsea’s playmaking problems for this season. Chelsea has a host of willing midfield workers to fill the void of Essien’s absence, not least the vastly improved Ramire, who continues to belie his slender frame with strength and drive in possession.
The Stoke game served to highlight Chelsea’s much reported fallibilities and with 2 home games to come before the end of August, it should not cost them any more points this month. However it is an issue which needs to be addressed before the end of the transfer window, and surely will be. Whether it is answered in the form of Luka Modric remains to be seen.
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