5 Reasons Why Chelsea Will Win the 2013-14 Premier League

Chelsea ended the 2012-13 season with one trophy that closely resembles a very big vase. The end of the campaign was a far cry from the excitement of last August, when a host of summer signings promised to put Chelsea back into contention for the domestic title.

Instead, an unfortunate yet entirely predictable series of events in November saw the Blues slip from two points behind leaders Manchester United to finish the season in third place, 14 points behind the champions. Whilst this is an improvement on their sixth-place finish in 2011-12, Roman Abramovich will be expecting more from his 11th manager.

Having conquered Europe, winning the Champions League and Europa League in consecutive seasons, it is likely that Chelsea will focus their resources on winning the title that they have missed out on for the past three years. Here are five reasons why that will certainly pay off.

A New, Potentially Special Manager

Whilst the Blues were on their way out of the Champions League after their defeat to Juventus in their penultimate group stage match, the sacking of Roberto Di Matteo was the turning point in Chelsea's season. The appointment of Rafa Benitez as the Interim One was vocally rejected by the fans, and the turmoil continued into 2013.

However, the position that Benitez has left the club in is ideal for the next manager to take over. As the holders of European silverware, with the promise of Champions League football in 2013-14, Chelsea are again an appealing prospect for transfer targets.

If, as everyone believes, Jose Mourinho is to return to Stamford Bridge, his record speaks for itself in terms of the success he will bring. Whether he is given the time to build a Sir Alex Ferguson-type dynasty is another matter altogether, but if we have learned anything at all from 10 years of Roman Abramovich, it is that nothing should surprise.

The 3 Amigos

Juan Mata, Eden Hazard and Oscar provided some of the brightest moments in what has been a fairly gloomy season for Chelsea fans. With 45 goals between them, they have forged an instant connection, playing some beautiful football to boot.

With no international competition this summer, Mazacar will have the whole preseason tour of the Far East to further build on the solid foundations that they have built thus far.

Romelu Lukaku

With all the big-money-star names being linked to Chelsea, many are overlooking the fact that the Blues have a striker with 17 2012-13 Premier League goals under his belt.

Whilst on loan at West Bromwich Albion, Romelu Lukaku helped the Baggies to an impressive eighth-place finish in the league. As well as scoring more Premier League goals than Frank Lampard, Fernando Torres and Juan Mata, the 6'2", 200-lb., 20-year-old beast from Belgium came off the bench to score a hat-trick against Manchester United in the final game of the season.

Whoever the incoming manager turns out to be, it would be foolish for him to ignore the prodigious talent already at his disposal.

The Old Guard

It's true that much of the positivity surrounding the future of Chelsea is based on the newer signings, all of whom are in their late teens or early 20s. However, with Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard signing contract extensions that will keep them at the club for another year at least, the Blues will have the perfect blend of youth and experience.

Chelsea failed to win any of the games that neither John Terry nor Frank Lampard were involved in in the 2012-13 season. Their experience and guidance is vital as they play their part in nurturing the next generation of Chelsea legends.

No More Sir Alex Ferguson

The Chelsea of 2012-13 were a team in transition. £100 million worth of new signings spent the season adapting to life in West London, under two very different managers, and still managed to win a trophy. When the Blues' league form faltered, Sir Alex Ferguson's well-oiled Manchester United machine were ready to take advantage.

However, next year will be something of a role reversal. Sir Alex's retirement leaves Manchester United as the transition team, as they work out how to move on from almost 27 years under the dour Scot. This is the perfect opportunity for Chelsea to take advantage and challenge United's domestic dominance. Who knows, they could even go one better than United by winning the quadruple.