When you think about the title race for 2014-15 there is no doubt that all eyes will be on Chelsea to see if their new signings can help Mourinho deliver the title again to Stamford Bridge. Despite what were seen by many as mind games from the Chelsea manager in 2013-14 he actually was proven to be right as the deficiencies of his team were laid to bare in the closing games as they struggled to kill off teams and win the games they were expected to. Mourinho gave the excuse of his team being in transition last year but the financial backing that he has been given from Roman Abramovich this summer means that expectations will be justifiably higher whilst slip ups will be placed under even greater scrutiny.
The picture last season may well have been different had Chelsea been equipped with a clinical goalscorer but the club have acted quickly to secure the services of Diego Costa and everyone will be waiting to see whether he delivers in the way he did for Atletico Madrid. If Costa does deliver he will surely help his team be at the height of contention for the league title this season, if he does not then there is still very little to rely on in the way of back up as Demba Ba looks set to leave whilst questions still remain over Fernando Torres. Importantly, Chelsea have added someone with great Premier League experience already in the form of Cesc Fabregas who let's not forget was the driving force behind everything Arsenal did before he left the club for Barcelona.
Of the players already at the club Andre Schurrle is one I expect big things from and his experience of winning the World Cup with Germany has only strengthened that view whilst selling David Luiz for £40 million looks great business as Chelsea fans will not be sorry to be seeing the back of his often careless and wayward marauding during games.
The 2-0 win over Liverpool at the end of last season showed everyone that Chelsea have a manager who has the tactical nous to create a team capable of being English Champions again especially when you consider the fact that the victory completed a league double over the team that finished second place, having already completed the double over the then soon-to-be champions Man City.
In fact their overall performance against the other teams in the top 4 was impressive only dropping points in a goalless draw against Arsenal at the Emirates. Chelsea have the edge when it comes to head to head battles against their title rivals, they now just need to find the same ruthlessness against the lesser teams that was characteristic of Mourinho's last spell in charge but not present last season - defeats against the likes of Stoke, Sunderland, Aston Villa and Newcastle cost them points but moreover highlighted their vulnerabilities and there is no doubt that Mourinho will want to rectify this and create a fear factor for opposing teams.
Overall I cannot help but think that Diego Costa will hold the key to any success for Chelsea this season and injury or failure to impress would be the difference between first and second in what I think will be a close two horse race with Man City. 2014-15 Prediction: 1st (Champions).
