Cesc Fabregas and the New Breed of Generals for Jose Mourinho's Chelsea

During Jose Mourinho's first spell in charge of Chelsea, it didn't take long for the manager to work out who his most vital players would be.

Within weeks, he had built his winning machine around Petr Cech, John Terry, Claude Makelele, Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba, going on to lift back-to-back Premier League titles along with the FA Cup and League Cup twice.

Since his return to west London, inheriting a team at a different stage of its cycle, it's taken him a little while longer to either identify his new generals or bring them into his squad.

Now three games into the 2014/15 campaign, the spine of Mourinho's new Chelsea is taking shape, and the manager is getting the rewards for his hard work on the training ground and in the transfer market.

Mourinho has trimmed the fat at Chelsea, building an impressive list of playing talent into a team that looks capable of winning major honours once more.

Bleacher Report looks at the new breed of generals leading the way for Mourinho at Chelsea. 

John Terry

Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

We're discussing a new breed of general at Chelsea, so it's somewhat contradictory to start by mentioning John Terry.

However, the club's captain, leader, legend is as imperious as ever, back fit and on form for Jose Mourinho's new-look Chelsea.

It speaks volumes for the regard in which he is held that, while Mourinho was willing to allow Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard to leave over the summer, he ensured Terry remained at Stamford Bridge with a one-year contract extension.

Terry will be 34 in December, but his displays this past year or so have been reminiscent of a defender who was once revered as among the best in Europe.

Without him at the back, Chelsea lack leadership. His partnership with Gary Cahill has given Mourinho the platform to build promising things further forward.

If he continues like he has, Terry will remain one of Mourinho's generals for some time yet. 

Nemanja Matic

Chris Brunskill/Getty Images

Sold to Benfica as part of the deal to bring David Luiz to Chelsea in January 2011, Nemanja Matic returned in January this year to plug a gaping hole in Chelsea's midfield.

It's a shame it took Mourinho to spot Chelsea's folly in allowing Matic to leave. During the three years between his departure and return, there were many moments when a player of his ilk was needed.

Back in 2004, it was Claude Makelele who controlled things in the pivot for Chelsea, shielding the defence from opposition attacks and breaking up play to get his team moving forward.

Matic is that man now and his impact has been formidable.

From bossing Yaya Toure at the Etihad shortly after re-joining Chelsea, he has added a solidity that was previously missing. The Blues look a far more formidable unit with him in the side.

He is the typical Mourinho player—aggressive, physical, but above all else, comfortable in possession and committed to his teammates.

At 26, he is entering his prime and will be around for some time yet. 

Cesc Fabregas

Jamie McDonald/Getty Images

The term "general" appears somewhat misused on Cesc Fabregas.

It's one that breeds the image of a big, burly type of player—a man who has endured his fair share of scraps and isn't afraid to involve himself in one or two more.

For Fabregas, it's one that still fits comfortably, though. Already, after just three games this season, he is the player who is running things at Chelsea.

A general is someone vital, the man who calls the shots, dictates policy and sees things through.

Fabregas is that man for Chelsea.

Either in the pivot alongside Nemanja Matic or further forward as part of an attacking three, like we saw in the recent 6-3 win against Everton, the Spaniard's style is at ease with Chelsea.

He has transformed the way this team can play, slotting in to give Jose Mourinho the rhythm Chelsea lacked in 2013/14.

Fabregas gets Chelsea moving, getting the ball forward for Eden Hazard to tease defences with his running ability or picking out Diego Costa to score the goals he was signed to bring.

Chelsea were swift in signing Fabregas when the opportunity came ahead of the World Cup. On his early form, it's surprising that he didn't have many other tempting offers to leave Barcelona. 

Diego Costa

Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

With four goals in three games, Diego Costa has wasted little time in announcing himself in the Premier League.

Given his physical attributes and tendency to not shy away from controversy, the comparisons are already being made with Didier Drogba.

Costa comes to Chelsea at a similar stage in his career to where Drogba was upon arriving in his, but the Spain international is arguably a better player now than the Ivorian was in 2004.

Of course, Drogba went on to achieve God-like status in west London, scoring vital goals in finals and that penalty in the shootout against Bayern Munich to lift the 2012 Champions League trophy.

The signs are Costa can emulate Drogba. After his encouraging start, he is one of the players this Chelsea team is going to be built around.

After so much discussion about strikers last term, Jose Mourinho's capture of Costa has changed the agenda.

From reasons why Chelsea won't win the league, it's suddenly about Costa being the reason they will.

He's a symbol of the new Chelsea and will be a flag bearer for the club moving forward.

Garry Hayes is Bleacher Report's lead Chelsea correspondent. Follow him on Twitter @garryhayes