Chelsea season preview: Failure is not an option

Last Season

Favourites for the title, Chelsea had an odd season. Despite overcoming their fellow contenders including a masterclass against Manchester City and a ruthless 6-0 drubbing of Chelsea, they struggled against lesser sides and that is what cost them the title. Accused of playing boring football at times, as you would expect from Jose Mourinho, their atacking midfield played some great football, with Eden Hazard in unstoppable form. Captain John Terry enjoyed a resurgent season, leading from the back and formed an excellent partnership with Gary Cahill in the league's tightest defence. A rather easy draw saw them make it to the semi finals of the Champions League, where they were deservingly beaten  by a spectacular Atletico Madrid.

Ins and Outs

Jose Mourinho's men look like undeniable title favourites after ransacking Atletico Madrid; bringing in some much needed quality up front in the form of Brazilian- Spanish striker Diego Costa. A hole in the left back position has been filled with the signing of the excellent Felipe Luis from Atletico as well.

Cesc Fabregas' surprising signing makes their midfield one of the best in the world, with the former Arsenal skipper expected to partner the solid Nemanja Matic in midfield. 

Didier Drogba's signing also seems to be more about retaining some experience in the squad rather than an upgrade in forward positions, but Romelu Lukaku's place in the 11 looks less likely, with the striker expected to go out on loan once again and make Jose repent.

Thibaut Courtois' arrival has made an interesting subplot  pre season. Does Jose bench Petr Cech or worse, Iker Casillas him? Or will the clearly superior Courtois be left on the bench in favour of the more experienced Cech? Rotation seems to be an option, but one gets the feeling that one must leave for the other to thrive.

But undoubtedly the most brilliant piece of business from Chelsea's point of view was offloading the graceful, but utterly unreliable David Luiz to Paris Saint- Germain for 50 million pounds. While I fail to understand why PSG would bid so much for a man who spent much of last season either on the bench or out of position, clever little Jose Mourinho can now spend even more without having to worry about Financial Fair Play regulations. What a laugh must he have had had Luiz gone to Barcelona.

Strengths

Oof, where do I begin? Diego Costa is a massive upgrade over Fernando Torres, while Felipe Luis' arrival means that Cesar Azpilicueta can be shifted to his favoured right-back slot for the coming season. But where does that leave Branislav Ivanovic? Regardless, it can only be a good thing for the Blues, whose defence looks unstoppable with the arrival of Thibaut Courtois in goal.

Weaknesses

Complacency in thoroughly winnable matches cost Mourinho's men last season and with a new, albeit fantastic couple of players, it might take them a while to hit their stride. Mourinho's main problem will be turning those lost chances in to wins.

Key Players

A lot rides on Diego Costa, Didier Drogba and Romelu Lukaku to keep the pressure of scoring goals off Eden Hazard, who will score regardless. A lot rides on how Mourinho integrates Costa into his side, while Eden Hazard has the potential for a 20- goal season as well.

It's a big season for

Romelu Lukaku and Petr Cech. Do they seek moves elsewhere, or fight for a spot in the side? Both have quality and will be sorely missed if things go awry, especially in the case of Romelu Lukaku, who would've undoubtedly led the line for Chelsea last season. Petr Cech, though, will need to hope that Courtois suffers an uncharacteristic dip in form for him to be in reckoning for the number one spot.

Watch out for

Nemanja Matic. His arrival in January last season gave the side some much needed stability in the middle of the park, and his steel is the perfect foil for the more attack minded and creative Cesc Fabregas.

Prediction

They're squad screams world class through every position, and you'd be an idiot to count them out for the title. A Real- Chelsea Champions League final is also not a long shot, but failure will not be forgiven,by both the fans, and owner Roman Abramovich.

Arsenal season preview: Solid unit, but can they prevent the collapses?

The story last season

Arsene Wenger's Gunners started last season with a bang, dominating their way to the top spot with Aaron Ramsey in particularly sublime form; but injuries to key men, sudden defensive lapses and lack of  cover for Olivier Giroud up front saw them utterly collapse in January, and the problems persisted for the remainder of the season as the Gunners withered dismally in pressure games, losing 6-3 away to City, 5-1 to Liverpool and an absolutely humiliating 6-0 thrashing at Chelsea on Arsene Wenger's 1000th game in charge. A promising start to their Champions League campaign also came to an end with the North Londoners bowing out in the second round against Bayern Munich. There was, however, a bright ending to their campaign as they claimed fourth spot, edging Everton to the Europa League and ended a 19- year long trophy drought, beating Hull to claim the FA Cup.

Off Season Report

For the second season running, Arsenal have managed to hold on to their key players while adding another excellent signing which goes a long way in solving their problems up front. Alexis Sanchez adds yet more pace and directness to a side teeming with it and will be a key man this season provided he can adapt to the rigours of English football. David Ospina is a massive upgrade over Lukasz Fabianski and the duo of Matheiu Debuchy and Calum Chambers are also a significant improvement over Bacary Sagna and Carl Jenkinson. 

Aaron Ramsey has been their standout performer in the run up to the start of the league, picking up exactly where he left off last season. A special mention must also go to the very promising Hector Bellerin, who looks like a future Emirates darling.

The Manager

Fresh off a summer in Brazil, covering the World Cup, one must imagine Arsene Wenger to be pretty satisfied with the way things have gone thus far, but disaster right when things are going their way seems to be the theme of Arsenal's recent seasons gone by. It will be intriguing to see how the new signings fare under his tutelage. Could Alexis Sanchez be their next Robin van Persie?

Strengths

Arsenal boast of one, if not the best midfields in the Premier League. Tomas Rosicky's opener at White Hart Lane and  Jack Wilshere's magical team goal against Norwich were absolutely top drawer performances. Aaron Ramsey, Mesut Ozil and Theo Walcott's performances will be instrumental in their title challenge.

Weaknesses

While their attacking midfield left us spellbound last season, central midfield remains a slight worry for Arsene Wenger's men. Jack Wilshere, despite showing sparks of true class was often disappointing last season and frequent injuries to Aaron Ramsey and him didn't help while Matheiu Flamini is nothing more, or less than acceptable. Wenger will need to find someone a whole lot better than Kim Kallstrom to bridge the midfield gap. Sami Khedira, anyone?

Key Players

Mesut Ozil arrived and hit the ground running, but was clearly unaccustomed to the rigours of English football. He will return as a better player, though and his genius vision and assists will be key to Arsenal's title dreams. Alexis Sanchez's arrival gives the Gunners a reliable and deadly goalscoring threat up front. Can he be the Gunners' X- Factor?

It's a big season for

Jack Wilshere. Touted as England's next big thing since a couple of years now, he has delighted and frustrated in equal measure. Time is running out for English football's golden boy. Will he step up to the plate or wilt, and can he put this summer's disappointment behind him?

Emerging Star

Gooners have been salivating over 17 year old wonderkid Gedion Zelalem. The youngster showed massive promise last season for the under-21s, drawing comparisons with Cesc Fabregas. With Arsenal reliant on aging central midfielders like Mikel Arteta and Matheiu Flamini, it could very well be a breakout season for the German.

Prediction

The arrival of Alexis Sanchez must have Arsenal dreaming of glory once again, but stiff competition awaits them in form of an extremely improved Chelsea team, last season's champions Manchester City, a Suarez- less yet dangerous Liverpool side, and Louis van Gaal's Manchester United, all of whom Arsenal failed to convincingly overcome last season. The signs have been impressive, though, and it could very well be the season in which they finally break the curse of fourth place. But can they avoid the collapses?

FIFA World Cup Report- The Best and the Worst so far.

One of the best World Cups in recent memory has now progressed to the knockout stages. Here's the lowdown on the best, and the worst so far.

Best Team: The Netherlands.

A young, inexperienced Dutch team came into the Cup with their place in the last 16 threatened by Spain and Chile, but Louis van Gaal's side started the tournament with a bang- decimating a surprisingly lackluster Spain side. Despite stuttering slightly against Australia's Socceroos, they have played brilliant attacking football and have been an absolute joy to watch. Another convincing win would see them as absolute favourites to reach a second semi final in a row.

Worst Team: Cameroon 

The Indomitable Lions seemed anything but, capping a disappointing World Cup for Africa. Internal disputes turned into altercations between players on the pitch itself, while main players like Samuel Eto'o and Alex Song underwhelmed, the latter especially so. While they were plain boring against Mexico, the performance against Croatia was utterly woeful, with Alex Song being sent off for an utterly brainless elbow to the back of Mario Mandzukic and Benoit Assou-Ekotto attacking his own teammate, Benjamin Moukandjo. An absolute disgrace.

Most Promising Player: Divock Origi 

Origi has been sensational for a Belgian side that have laboured for their three wins, despite boasting a vast array of attacking options. The previously unheard- of teen from Lille was impressive against the dogged Algerians and scored late to win it against Russia. He may not feature much in the coming rounds but  he has had Europe's biggest clubs (and Spurs) sitting up and taking notice.

Most likely to win the Golden Ball: Lionel Messi (Again)

Yes, him again. Lionel Messi single handedly carried Argentina into the knockout stages with stunning goals in every match. While his team have appeared disjointed and have been largely underwhelming, The Little Flea has been at his best. A disastrous campaign for Cristiano Ronaldo means that he may still be in contention for the Ballon D' Or provided The Albiceleste fulfill their potential.

Most disappointing player: Luis Suarez, beyond a shred of doubt.

While he remains a brilliant player, Luis Suarez's cannibalistic tendencies are threatening to overshadow his prolific scoring. After a great season, which saw him break records for a resurgent Liverpool, his bite on Giorgio Chiellini has ruined his season and will ensure that his name remains infamous in World Cup folklore for years to come. What a shame.


While Brazil still remain favourites, sides like Costa Rica and Algeria have made history and deserve recognition for their achievements. It promises to be a humdinger of a World Cup, let's hope it doesn't disappoint.

It might take more than a season for Van Gaal to undo last season's debacle at Manchester United.

It wasn't just the Dutch who rejoiced at the end of Holland's 5-1 trouncing of Spain. Louis van Gaal's Oranje side enthralled millions of Man United fans who watched in awe as a fit, confident Robin van Persie robbed Iker Casillas of the ball and casually sent it into the back of the net. The top scorer in their Premier League winning season was back to his lethal best, as if unaffected by his club's disastrous form this season. In the dugout, van Gaal celebrated, rising from his bar stool seat, celebrating- a sight many United fans will hope to see more often in the upcoming season. A sense of optimism, absent since the arrival of Juan Mata, filled Old Trafford.But it's a long road back into the Champion's League. Manchester City, United's noisy neighbours and successors to the Premier League crown were absolutely unplayable at times, decimating Arsenal and United among a host of others. 

As were Liverpool  and Chelsea, the latter seeming like potential Champions League contenders with the signing of Cesc Fabregas and the impending arrival of Brazil's favourite son, Diego Costa; while the Merseysiders, looking to mount a Champions League challenge, have been excellent in the transfer market so far- bolstering midfield and adding depth to their already formidable attack by signing the exciting Emre Can and the experienced Rickie Lambert. Adam Lallana and Alberto Moreno have also been continually linked with the Reds.

Arsenal endured an equally bad second half to the season- butchered by Liverpool, Chelsea and City, but the return of key players like Theo Walcott and the signing of a top centre forward like Mario Balotelli will bolster hopes of a season like the one they had until January at the Emirates.

Despite being linked with dozens of players including the entire Dutch national team over the summer, United have still not made a signing, with the finger of blame being pointed right at their bumbling Chief Executive, Ed Woodward. United desperately need at least two quality centre halves, a left back capable of taking over from Patrice Evra, at least one more winger and crucially, a top central midfield player.

However, new signings, no matter how good they may be individually, will not ensure success. Just look at how Tottenham Hotspur imploded last season. Van Gaal will face a monumental task to bring them together as a cohesive unit. 

The expectations from van Gaal are clear- anything less than a Champions League spot will be deemed catastrophic, and while he has proven himself to be a formidable leader, it could take more than a season to resurrect the fallen Red Devils.

Spain v Holland: Robin, Robben and co take apart tiki taka

Yesterday in Salvador, at the end of 90 minutes of excellence by his team, Louis van Gaal, the man known for  his strict no nonsense style of management, greeted the final whistle with a broad boyish smile of pure, unadulterated joy. Vicente Del Bosque and his Spanish teams cut a sorry figure- stunned speechless at what they had just witnessed. La Roja's first defeat by 5 goals or more since 1950. Spain had conceded more goals in a single match than they had in all of the matches 4 years ago in South Africa, against the very side that they had conquered to win the ultimate prize in football. The absolute dominance of Spanish football and tiki taka obliterated.

One man, who has in his career experienced the pain of losing two Champion's League finals and a World Cup final was the one all smiles this time round. Arjen Robben was at his destructive best, ending the match with two brilliantly taken goals; arguably one of the best performances of his career. Robin van Persie, his partner in crime was equally good, scoring two goals of incredible importance, the first of which will live in World Cup folklore for years to come and has made sure that van Persie is going to spend the rest of his career being called the Flying Dutchman. 

His second goal, however, will live in memory not for the way it was scored, but the blunder which led to it. It might be remembered in the future as the moment Iker Casillas , the hero of so many big matches in his career, fell from grace.

10 seconds summed up his match. Arjen Robben charging towards the Spanish goal, outrunning the defenders, then sending Casillas the wrong way twice. San Iker scampered on all fours, his face a mask of misery, as Robben sent the ball flying past Sergio Ramos and Pique into the top corner. Spain's hero for a decade had fallen.

Their run at the top has been an extraordinary one, and with players of such quality you'd be justified to expect the best from them, but the Dutch defended with utmost focus to thwart Iniesta, Costa and company. Ron Vlaar had an excellent game at the centre of a three man defence. Bruno Martins Indi and Stephan De Vrij too were solid, the latter scoring the third of five goals from the far post with a slightly scrappy effort. 

Daley Blind played a, erm, blinder in his left wing back position with two assists. A performance that will definitely have bigger clubs interested.

Spain were their usual self up until van Persie's header, controlling possession but were lucky to score in the second controversial penalty decision this World Cup, but Diego Costa had an extremely disappointing debut and was rightly subbed after an hour for an equally unimpressive Fernando Torres. Iniesta attempted a couple of shots from far out but never looked like scoring either time.

For the defence, it was a shocker. On paper, a side which boasts of two world class centre backs in Sergio Ramos and Gerard Pique with promising wide defenders like Azpilicueta and Jordi Alba is a force to reckon with, but neither of the back four could cope with Robben's trickery and pace.

This result leaves Spain in a precarious position. A lot will depend on their clash with Chile. Another loss or a draw could leave their chances of qualifying for the last 16 in serious jeopardy. 

Sides will underestimate La Roja at their own peril, however. This here is a side loaded with world-class talent, especially in midfield and has players who boast a wealth of experience. They were pummelled in Salvador, but they will return, intent on restoring their pride.

Brazil v Croatia: Good win, but sterner tests await the hosts.

Oh how Marcelo must be thanking his lucky stars that Croatia didn't play the entire game the way they started it. An entire nation watched in stunned silence as Jelavic's scuffed shot went off the unfortunate Real man into the goal. Marcelo's reaction said it all. A loss on the opening day, due to an  own goal no less, would be unforgivable. Thankfully for every Brazilian in the stadium, especially Marcelo, it wasn't one of those days. A fine left footed effort by Neymar restored parity before the Barcelona man scored a somewhat controversial penalty ,midway through the second half, giving Brazil the lead. A nation cheered, as the young man from Mogi looked heavenwards. 

Croatia certainly had their moments, with the brilliant pair of Ivan Rakitic, and Luka Modric running the game in the opening 15 minutes. Rakitic in particular was sublime, sending Olic through that eventually led to the opening goal. Mateo Kovacic too offered glimpses of class, while veteran striker Olic consistently looked to exploit the gaps left in the right side of the Brazilian defence by the attack minded Dani Alves.

But in the end, the game belonged to the Selecao, with Oscar capping off an impressive display with a goal in injury time. With him, Neymar, Hulk and Fred all in good touch, Brazil can be absolutely terrifying going forward. 

The defence, however,  underwhelmed. Both David Luiz and captain Thiago Silva had a decent game, although the former was guilty of losing Jelavic in the build up to the own goal. Marcelo played the game with renewed vigour post his unfortunate mishap, sprinting up and down the left, but it was Dani Alves who left the most to be desired. Bombing ahead as always, his runs down the wing left space for Olic, which led to the first goal. A natural winger would've caused a whole lot more problems than the veteran out wide. Leaving so much space against a side like Germany or even Holland, whom they may face in the last 16, could cost them heavily.

Felipao Scolari's men have started the tournament positively, but sterner tests will tell if the hosts are truly the contenders they're being billed to be. The world will be watching.