Chelsea FC's Start To The '09/'10 Season. An Assessment.

(Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Six games in and the debates have begun. Can the "Big Four" be broken or become a "Big Five"? Who are possible title contenders? What of Chelsea, one of the "Big Four" and a title contender?

First a recap:

Everything has Changed...

Guus Hiddink departed stage left, honouring his promise to Russia and Carlo Ancelotti said Buongiorno to the Bridge. Peter Kenyon has just announced his tenure as chief executive is over with Ron Gourlay his replacement. Andriy Shevchenko phoned home, returning to Dynamo Kyiv where he forged his reputation, sadly seemingly sullied at Chelsea. Other departures included Claudio Pizarro and several young players.

Stamford Bridge welcomed another Russian, Yuri Zhirkov, in a tradition stretching back 64 years. Promising striker Daniel Sturridge was rescued from potential obscurity at England's answer to Real Madrid, Manchester City. Ross Turnbull swapped the Riverside for the Bridge and the challenge of giving Petr Cech some sleepless nights.

...and Nothing has Changed

Yet for all this upheaval, Chelsea are, to all intents and purposes, unchanged. The big names that played regularly have all crucially stayed and signed new contracts, like John Terry. Frank Lampard continues to pitch in with goals. Nicolas Anelka and Didier Drogba picked up where they left off: building an, at times, unstoppable partnership.

That togetherness and the understanding gained is undoubtedly one of Chelsea's strengths. Another is Chelsea have finally found a long-term manager who gives the players belief. At times under Luis Felipe Scolari, the players seemed to go through the motions. Rumours that several players mutinied at his training methods speak volumes.

Guus Hiddink lived up to his 'player-whisperer' tag and got the belief that anything was possible back. The start so far suggests Carlo Ancelotti is very much Hiddink's managerial cousin. The Stoke result, coming back from 1-0 down to claim three points with a late winner is just one piece of evidence.

In fact, while there have been few surprises thus far, good ones especially, this may well be one. In Ancelotti, Chelsea may have found the manager that not only brings Old Big Ears to Stamford Bridge, but also finally lays the ghost of Jose Mourinho's era to rest.

All That we are, Rise Together

The defence seems strong, conceding just three goals in six games while the Anelka and Drogba partnership is bubbling over nicely. The Fulham game displayed how these two could combine and could yet do so to greater effect. Drogba's equaliser against Stoke was sheer class. Anelka's solo effort against Porto was a marvellous marker for the Frenchman.

The squad appears to have good strength in depth with Joe Cole and Paulo Ferreira both returning from injuries. Ivanovic has proved an adept cover across the back four for Carvalho and Bosingwa. The midfield of Lampard, Ballack, Essien, Mikel, Deco, and Malouda must give Ancelotti the kind of headache managers pray for.

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