Chelsea Pre-Season Schedule 2015: Fixtures, Dates, Live Stream and TV Info
The triumphant return of Jose Mourinho was fulfilled at the end of the 2014-15 campaign, as Chelsea earned the right to be called the best team in England once more.
The Special One weaved his magic to wrestle the Premier League title into Roman Abramovich's hands, justifying his high-profile return to west London.
The Blues now look to hold onto their championship over the coming year, and they must embark on an essential pre-season programme to regain fitness.
Here is how you can watch all of Chelsea's pre-season games, with matches being streamed on Chelsea TV and BT Sport.
| July 23 | 1.10 a.m. | New York Red Bulls | Red Bull Arena | Chelsea TV |
| July 25 | 11.10 p.m. | Paris Saint-Germain | Bank of America Stadium | Chelsea TV |
| July 29 | 1.10 a.m. | Barcelona | FedEx Field | Chelsea TV |
| Aug. 2 | 3 p.m. | Arsenal | Wembley Stadium | BT Sport |
| Aug. 5 | 8 p.m. | Fiorentina | Stamford Bridge | Chelsea TV |
Chelsea Lack Of Signings To Cost Them?
One of the primary reasons that saw Chelsea prevail last term was Mourinho's decisive actions in the transfer market, plundering La Liga champions Atletico Madrid for their best talent.
Diego Costa was brought to Stamford Bridge to give the Blues the predator they so desperately needed and to add attitude to their front line attack.
The Spain international hit 20 goals in his first season in the EPL, per WhoScored.com, and was a huge success despite suffering constant minor injuries.
Also into the squad came Cesc Fabregas from Barcelona and Atleti loanee Thibaut Courtois—and suddenly Chelsea had a core that no English opponent could match.
It was a brilliant summer of business by the Portuguese legend, and his actions fired Chelsea towards the silverware their owner craves.
However, 12 months on—and Chelsea's absence in the transfer market has been noted. Manchester United and Manchester City have once again flexed their muscles in the transfer window, and Arsenal have strengthened their defence by taking Petr Cech from the Blues.
Liverpool have also attempted to join the party with the big money addition of Roberto Firmino, but it is the champions who sit silently in the corner.
Mourinho has brought in Radamel Falcao—who spectacularly failed at United last season—and highly regarded Stoke stopper, Asmir Begovic. But these are players to warm the bench, next to the Special One on match days, and they will not change the destiny of the EPL title.
Of course, this window is nowhere near complete yet, and Chelsea could go on a late spending spree. However, fans will be concerned their rivals are doing the eye-catching business, while they stand motionless, admiring last season's achievements.
Jason Burt of the Telegraph commented about Chelsea's lack of potency in the current market and questioned why they would not act with more verve:
"There is plenty of time left in the window for Chelsea to remedy that even if, traditionally, Mourinho has always wanted his main transfer business done by the time his squad touches down for pre-season training. Indeed, he has insisted upon it.
Given the speed and efficiency Chelsea have shown in the transfer market in the last couple of years—with Mourinho’s key ally, the club director Marina Granovskaia, in charge of deals—it is surprising they have not been more decisive this summer.
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There is a possibility Mourinho is content with his current crop, but the question must be raised that Chelsea will suffer in the defence of the title with their nearest rivals all appearing stronger on paper.
The likes of Eden Hazard and Fabregas can provide the ammunition and flair needed to keep Costa in the goals, but will the freshness of other teams force Chelsea to become stale?
Some of these questions will be answered in pre-season, as the Special One prepares his army for another game of war. However, retaining the EPL trophy has become an incredibly hard task, and there is nothing to suggest Chelsea will improve over the coming months.
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