Chelsea - Why this season is all about the goals.

Why it’s all about the goals…

Score more than you concede. It’s simple right?

It could be argued that football is ultimately all about the maths, but as we know it’s so much more complicated than that.

Last season the top scorers in the Premier League were Manchester City who netted 71 times, Chelsea scored 59, their worst return since the 1999-2000 season. Finishing 10^th was also the lowest placing since 1995-1996 and fans are demanding a much improved performance this season. The defence will also need to tighten up having shipped more goals in the league than at any time in the last 19 years.

Antonio Conte has an embarrassment of riches up front. An on-the-books-as-it-stands strike force featuring Pedro, Diego Costa, Loic Remy, Kenedy and Batshuayi already looks formidable and with Romelu Lukaku rumoured to be returning to Stamford Bridge, Chelsea may well have the strongest attack in the top flight. The defence is also robust so last season does look like something of an aberration. New signing Matt Miazga could slot into the back four very well if not sent out on loan first to get more experience.

Being in contention for the title and a top 4 position is the minimum expectation come next May, a decent cup run and picking up some additional silverware would also not go amiss. In a sense not playing in Europe this season is a bit of a blessing as it leaves the team free to focus on regaining ground in the Premier League.

Conte has made some shrewd acquisitions with one of last season’s stand out players switching from the midlands to London in the form of N’Golo Kante who is fresh from some solid performances at Euro 2016. Also due to make his debut for the Blues is Michy Batshuayi who has wowed Ligue 1 in France last season and could form a devastating partnership with his international colleague Eden Hazard – and possibly Lukaku.

So if its goals that are needed to propel Chelsea back to the summit and with all the talent at their disposal, last season’s poor return should go down as an unfortunate blip on the statistics. Chelsea have a strong midfield return in the scoring charts and the defence has been known to stick a few in the onion bag as well.

Bet on Brazil (www.betonbrazil.com) have Chelsea 3^rd favourites at 11/2 to win the Premier League outright and if Lukaku does re-sign then those odds will only go down. There are also some very generous odds on top goal scorer and Costa and Batshuayi are very much in the running there.