• Home Stadium – Stamford Bridge
• Local Rivals – Tottenham Hotspur, Fulham, QPR
• Manager – André Villas-Boas
• Important Players – Petr Cech, John Terry, Ashley Cole, Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba, Fernando Torres
• Position in 2010-11 – 2nd

Five things to expect from Chelsea next season

So five things to expect from the Blues next season:

André Villas-Boas’s comparisons with Mourinho increases with each passing match day – The new Chelsea manager was saddled with a reputation to protect even before he was anywhere near Stamford Bridge. Dubbed the ‘new Mourinho’ his success with Porto was always measured against Jose’s achievements rather than judging him as an individual. With a move to England and the Bridge, the comparisons have only increased. Though he might be lacking in age, one aspect he will certainly not found wanting is his self assurance. Big things are expected from him but if he achieves even half of what he is expected to, the happy times are about to be back in west London again.

Torres to shine – Fernando Torres has already absolutely rotten luck and form for more than a year now. However the man saddled with the task of justifying his huge transfer sum might just vanish and we may be treated to the blond, free-scoring, defender scaring Torres of old. Truth be told, he is too good a player to remain in the rut he was in last season. If he stays away from injuries and AVB manages to integrate him as an important aspect of Chelsea’s attacking intents, no one should be surprised if he turns in a 30 goal season.

Benayoun and Zhirkov spend most of the season in the recovery room – There are a few players who have the ability to change the outcome of a match but seldom do so as they are injured more often than not. When Ancelotti bought Benayoun from Liverpool he would have expected to be buying a player who would be able to give him 25-30 appearances in a season, not 25-30 minutes. Zhirkov similarly has struggled to hold on to a permanent place in the side primarily due to his injuries.

Chelsea – QPR to be one of the fiercest derbies of the season – Next season would see the resumption of some local rivalries like Arsenal-Tottenham, Manchester City-Manchester United and Manchester United-Liverpool. However one of the highlights of next season would be when Chelsea takes on the other club from west London, QPR. QPR may have just been promoted but the rivalry between the two clubs from the fashionable part of London would be worth watching.

No change in formation – Chelsea perfected a system of 4-3-3 under the tutelage of Mourinho. All managers that have followed him have tried to change the system but failed as the team has always looked most comfortable in this formation. Ancelotti’s diamond or Scolari’s frustrating attempts at changing the formation- all attempts have proved futile. However a reluctance to change formation makes it almost impossible to let Torres and Drogba play together. So if the Ivorian is around come the start of the season, expect a familiar looking 4-3-3 to line up against Stoke on August 13.

High probability of occurrence of – Terry to have another affair, Cheryl Cole to leave Ashley Cole again!, wonder at Lampard’s 20 goal haul, Referee decisions blamed for Chelsea’s exit from Champions League, Josh MacEachran to become a Chelsea regular.

Also, (As I am a Blue Fan) – Premier League Champions 2011-2012.

Tags: Andre Villas Boas, Chelsea, English Premier League, EPL, Fernando Torres, QPR