After a dominant performance in the 2014-15 Premier League campaign, the Blues should set their sights on Roman Abramovich’s favourite trophy this season as they bid to rebuild a dynasty at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea were by far the best team in England’s top flight last season, guaranteeing the title with three matches remaining and going on to finish eight points ahead of runners-up Manchester City.
Despite an excellent domestic campaign, Jose Mourinho’s one regret from an otherwise successful season may have been their failure to beat Paris Saint-Germain as they crashed out of the Champions League at the last-16 stage. A goal up and facing 10 men, the 52-year-old opted to defend the lead – a tactic that usually works for the Blues – and they crashed out after Thiago Silva’s header sent the French side through on away goals. This season, however, could be the year that Chelsea win Europe’s elite club competition for the second time during Abramovich’s ownership.
The Blues have one of the strongest squads in world football and, in recent years, have shown that they can compete with the likes of Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Real Madrid. Chelsea, however, have Mourinho – arguably the best manager on the planet. The Portuguese very rarely gets his tactics wrong and has already won the Champions League twice, once with Porto in 2004 and the other with Inter Milan in 2010. The 52-year-old’s experience at the highest level could prove useful if Chelsea reach the latter stages of the competition once again. Chelsea’s supporters are already excited at the prospect of lifting the Champions League trophy this season.
Furthermore, Mourinho has some of the world’s best players at his disposal. Eden Hazard, who won both the PFA Player of the Year and the FWA Player of the Year awards last season, is one of the bright stars of European football and will play a huge role in Chelsea’s success in the future. The Belgian scored 14 goals in 38 Premier League matches last season, while he also assisted nine for his team-mates. Meanwhile, striker Diego Costa showed exactly why the Blues forked out £32 million for the Spaniard as he netted 20 goals in just 28 appearances in the top flight. If both players can remain fit, Chelsea will stand an excellent chance of reaching the latter stages of the Champions League.
It will be difficult for Chelsea to win Europe’s elite club competition next year, but they will certainly be there or thereabouts at the business end of the season. Many believe that, after their disappointing exit last season, the Blues will go on to lift the trophy this campaign and have placed a wager on Mourinho’s side in the football betting to win the competition. With a bit of luck, Chelsea could conquer Europe once again and claim their second Champions League title in five seasons.
