A New Season - Where we are at!

So with the new season starting tomorrow its time before we look at the game to have a look at our squad and where we are at the moment. With three new signings that have come into the squad in Turnbull, Zhirkov and Sturridge added to that the likes of Shevchenko and Pizzaro returning from loan we are in good shape up front if you ask me.

Also as I have mentioned before with Ferreira and Joe Cole looking like that are due to return from injury, with Deco and Carvalho back in the fold and playing we are looking alot stronger than we did last season.

With all the rubbish that surrounded John Terry finally put to bed, with the World Soccer Challenge trophy in the bag and the Community Shield added to that we are looking fit, hungry and ready for the new season.

I believe we have the strongest squad in the league and i have to say its not just Chelsea fans that think this. I had an alert come through to me the other day and i was surprised as to what I was reading considering it was from a Mickey Mouser! It read as follows:

"Chelsea are truly an enigma to me. How they haven’t been winning the title instead of Manchester United is beyond me, because they have better players, better goal scorers, and a more intense style of play. What they lack, I guess, is the belief that they belong at the top of the mountain.

That said, the constant shifting of management makes it hard for Chelsea to gain an identity, and I think that they’ll spend this season adapting, and perhaps winning a cup but finishing behind United and Liverpool again. If you ask me, though, there is no better core of players in the Premiership" (this was taken from lfc-news website).

So let's just check on the squad. For a start in Petr Cech we have one of the best goalkeepers in the world. We do have the odd wobble with Cech now and again as the first goal in the Charity Shield proved but over the course of the season he goes to prove himself and his clean sheet record will be second to none. Hilario will be a worthy backup and sturdy as ever, and with Turnbull coming into the fold he adds extra competition amongst the keepers. So we look strong to me.

Our defence is very very strong and arguably the strongest in the league. At the moment the only position that is slightly weak is left back. Ashley Cole has been fantastic last season and is already showing that he is playing the same as he finished off. But, there is a lack of support in that position. Ferreira and Zhirkov can play there, but with Ash there and not being injury prone we should be ok there.

Right back position is now a straight fight between Ivanovic and Bosingwa with it looking like Ivanovic has got the nod for the start before Bosingwa even though he looked isolated on Sunday in the Community Shield. So we look strong there again.

At posted previously we looked very strong at the end of last season under Hiddink with Alex filling the void next to John Terry and you have to say Alex was fantastic. But, we have Riccy back and playing well. Yes there was all the chat about Riccy wanting to leave, but he hasn't yet, and he played really well against United.

So we look very strong there with if needed Ivanovic coming into fill the void. The only thing I worry about, and maybe so do most of you Blues fans is if John Terry was out. If Terry was out then we do seem to lack the organisation at the back, well its not as good as it is with him there.

Our midfield IS the strongest in the league no question. When I am saying we are the strongest I am referring to International Experience, Premier League experience and just the fact they are World Class players. With Carlo playing the 4-Diamond-2 formation its a real toss up as to who starts.

Our midfield as you all know consists of Lampard, Deco, Joe Cole, Zhirkov, Malouda, Ballack, Essien, Belletti and Mikel. Those guys are pure class and and you ask any other manager in the Premier League if they had a chance to have a midfield like that they will bite your hand off!

Think about it, we have to play 4 out of the 9 players. So we have strength in depth. No other side in the league can suffer injuries and still bring the same quality to the starting eleven. United will rely on the likes of Carrick, Andersson and Fletcher this season. If they get injured they will rely on the ageing Scholes and Giggs and will they be able to play 90 mins week in week out at real Premiership pace?.

Liverpool will be relying on Gerrard and Mascherano alot this season. Ok they have bought Aquilani but he is injured and has no Premiership Experience. So if Gerrard and Mascherano get injured they do not have the same quality. So for me, we have the best midfield squad depth and this will be key for us for success this season. This could be key for us this year.

Our frontline as already stated looks very strong and has more than enough squad depth with Drogba, Anelka, Sturridge, Shevchenko, Pizzaro and Kalou. With two to play out of the 6 each week we look very strong once more. The only side that comes close or rivals us up front will be Man City.

Now the only concern I have is Ancelotti. This season will be his first as we all know and let's be honest in the back of our minds we are all thinking lets hope he will be no Scolari. But with Wilkins and Clement (recently promoted by the club) working with him to guide him it could be a great season if he hits the ground running. There is the argument that Scolari failed as he came from International Management whereas Ancelotti obviously has been purely a club manager.

Listening to the Chelsea Fancast. Scolari failed as he didn't have a plan B, so let's hope that Ancelotti does and the option of switching back to a 4-3-3 that brought us so much success.

So there we have it, I am extremely confident about our chances in the Premiership this season and I am not the only one!.

Are you as confident as I am ?