Premier League season preview: Chelsea

Chelsea endured a terrible 2015-16, finishing 10th in the league. With a new manager at the helm, what does the new season have in store?

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INS: Michy Batshuayi (£33.2 million, Marseille), N’Golo Kante (£32 million, Leicester City)

OUTS: Marco Amelia (released), Nathan Ake (loan, Bournemouth), Lewis Baker (loan, Vitesse Arnhem), Jeremie Boga (loan, Granada), Tomas Kalas (loan, Fulham), Alex Kiwomya (loan, Crewe Alexandra), Reece Mitchell (free, Chesterfield), Charly Musonda (loan, Real Betis), Tika Musonda (released), Nathan (loan, Vitesse Arnhem), Stipe Perica (£3.2 million, Udinese), John Swift (free, Reading), Kevin Wright (released)

THE STORY: To describe the managerial position at Chelsea as “high pressure” is like calling the ocean “wet” or space “vast.” Since Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich acquired the London club in 2003, Chelsea have had no fewer than 13 people at the helm for at least one game. When Jose Mourinho returned to Stamford Bridge in 2013, there was a feeling the prodigal son had come home, back at the club where he enjoyed such success in his first spell from 2004-2007, when he captured two league titles, an FA Cup and two League Cups.

Chelsea saw an improvement in points, if not in table position, during the Special One’s first season back, and the team claimed the title in thoroughly dominant fashion in 2014-15. Many heralded the long-awaited ascent of Thibaut Courtois as a successor to the departed Petr Cech, but then the Belgian keeper suffered a long-term injury in training toward the beginning of last season. From that point on, the Blues struggled, losing seven of 12 from mid-September through mid-December. The club bottomed out at 16th in the table following a loss to (who else?) Leicester, after which Chelsea and Mourinho mutually parted ways. Immediately, the club showed marked improvement, reaching as high as eighth before leveling out and finishing 10th. It was a massive disappointment, certainly, but not nearly the disaster it could have been for the defending champions.

Now, with ex-Italy and Juventus man Antonio Conte in charge, Chelsea seem poised to return to the league’s elite. Prior to last season, the club had finished no lower than sixth since 1996, and there is no reason to expect less than a place in the top four in 2016-17. There are many causes for optimism. A healthy Courtois will be a big help, while Oscar, Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas are in line for a return to form after receiving criticism for their poor performances in the first half of last season. The addition of N’Golo Kante from title-winners Leicester should balance the midfield, and introduce a level of consistency and energy that was noticeable by its absence a season ago. Pedro stands to bounce back as well after a difficult first season — his speed on the wing and intelligence with and without the ball should show its value in a properly functioning team. Similarly, Eden Hazard will look to build on a splendid Euro campaign. The defense is key, and the back four will benefit from having Courtois as the fallback. Gary Cahill and John Terry will lead from the back, as usual and as always, but American fans will be particularly interested in how Matt Miazga is deployed. The center-back’s future remains uncertain, but if he can find a place in this squad, Conte could do wonders for his development. Having a Russian oligarch for an owner has its benefits, and the pieces are certainly there for Chelsea to make it back to the top four; a title challenge could be on the cards as well if Conte settles quickly.

KEY PLAYER: Chelsea had a rough start even with their starting keeper in 2015-16, but losing Courtois absolutely doomed the Blues. His considerable frame (6-foot-6) and lightning-quick reflexes give Chelsea a significant advantage heading into most matches, and without him, the club’s goal differential suffered. Courtois sees the field at a level far above his peers, initiating counterattacks and making the kind of passes that make him seem more chess master than goalkeeper. Along with David De Gea at Manchester United, Courtois is perhaps the keeper most intrinsic to his side’s success, and his sustained health will play a large part in where Chelsea finish. We have seen what happens when Courtois is hurt, but Chelsea won two trophies with him healthy two seasons ago. Especially after his summer with Belgium, there is no reason to believe the 24-year-old will not play up to the standard Chelsea fans expect.

MANAGER: Conte was an accomplished player in his day, and made his managerial name with back-to-back-to-back Serie A trophies with Juventus, before impressing with Italy at the Euros. His no-nonsense style may not be the most appealing to a board as volatile as Chelsea’s, but as is the case for every team, if the wins come, the manager stays. Chelsea’s seat is eternally hot, and Conte will surely test whether double heat makes a chill. He is an excellent tactical manager, whose approach often changes depending on his opponent; he is not married to any formation and is capable of adapting on the fly better than most. His adjustments will determine his future at the club, but if the players respond well to his disciplinarian approach, success will likely follow.

BEST CASE: The players respond to Conte better than they did Mourinho, Courtois enjoys a solid season, Costa scores 20+ goals, and Chelsea find themselves back on top of the Premier League table.

WORST CASE: Conte’s intensity alienates his players, the midfield never quite clicks, Hazard and Costa have trouble penetrating defenses, and the Blues again finish out of European competition.

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