Analysing the new look Chelsea in the Premier League opener

Shaumik
Chelsea players try to persuade the referee to award a penalty

After a squad building season on his return to Chelsea, Jose Mourinho, who rarely has such trophy less seasons, quietly plunged into the transfer market as the rest of the world was busy with the World Cup. The cash from high profile departures of David Luiz and Romelu Lukaku was used in strengthening some weak areas of the team as they signed Diego Costa, Francesc Fabregas and Filipe Luis from the La Liga.

Although Mourinho used his players extensively during pre season, and the Chelsea faithful got the chance to have a look at all the new signings, in addition to a few youth academy prospects, those games were, after all, just friendlies. The first competitive match for the new look Chelsea was the Premier League opener against Burnley.

The Initial Scare

The selection of Courtois over Cech is understandable and Filipe Luis was left out as he was not match fit. Mourinho may have used Ivanovic because he expected Burnley to play a physical game.

Newly promoted Burnley weren’t exactly the acid test for a rejuvenated Chelsea side, but they werne’t going down easily on their home turf either! The game opened with opportunities for both sides, but Burnley opened the scoring when the Blues failed to clear a corner and the ball landed on the feet of Scott Arfield, who finished exquisitely as Courtois had no chance of saving his volley.

Scott Arfield scores against Chelsea to give Burnley the lead

Burnley finished in the top half of the Championship in 2013, and they built on it and finished second in the 2014 season. Part of this feat was due to their defense and the fact that they made it very difficult for opponents to score against them at home.

The Goal Poacher

Had it been last season, Chelsea could have struggled for the rest of the game for a sight of the goal, trying to cut open the defense of Burnley. This time, though, they had a certain new signing who was at the right place at the right time.

When Chelsea signed Diego Costa, even after his injury problems towards the end of last season and a poor World Cup, fingers were raised. However, after a good pre season, this was the first chance he had to prove a point.

An Ivanovic cross was deflected by a defender on to the post, and the rebound fell to Diego Costa, who made no mistake. A couple of minutes after the Burnley goal, Chelsea had equalized. Was it an indication that that had found the goal poacher that they were sorely missing?

The Francesc magic

The Chelsea equalizer wouldn’t have been possible without the one who started it all — Cesc Fabregas. Fabregas cut open the Burnley defense with a great backheel to Branislav Ivanovic, which the Serbian took well and the rest as they say is history.

His involvement in the game just grew from then on. After a quick run by Eden Hazard past the Burnley defense, the ball fell to Ivanovic, who passed to Fabregas. Fabregas chipped the ball to Schurrle, who had timed his run perfectly to put it past Heaton. Just like that, Chelsea had taken the lead.

It has been a long time since someone with so much brilliance has played for Chelsea. Every time he touches the ball, it seems that something magical is about to happen. Mourinho mentioned earlier that he’s the missing piece in the Chelsea puzzle. Perhaps Mourinho’s right — as he mostly is.

To dive or not to dive?

With wave after wave of Chelsea attacks, Burnley went into panic mode. A poor back pass was intercepted by the quick Diego Costa, who was brought down by the goalkeeper. Replays showed it was a clear penalty. However, Diego Costa was booked for simulation. True that he drew the goalkeeper out, but there was contact and the goalkeeper was nowhere near the ball! A poor refereeing decision indeed.

The Serbian response

When the referee doesn’t award clear penalties, you can call it a disgrace and get red carded. Or, you could just score again. Soon after the penalty was denied, a Fabregas corner was put in the back of the net by an unmarked Ivanovic. Chelsea went into half time with a considerable lead, even after being a goal down.

Branislav Ivanovic scores Chelsea's third goal against Burnley

The new generation Chelsea

The opening match was encouraging for Chelsea fans and there is a different fluency to their play. Matic and Fabregas form a formidable midfield pair, which gives Oscar the freedom to roam forward. Hazard and Schurrle continue to be impressive — it seems Fabregas never left England. Diego Costa seems to be setting into the physicality of the Premier League well.

It’s too early to say if Chelsea are going to win the Premier League title with this complete looking team. But one thing is certain ? Boring, boring Chelsea? Not anymore.

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Edited by Staff Editor