5 Key Fixtures for Chelsea Fans to Focus on in 2016/17 Premier League Season
Antonio Conte will start his reign as Chelsea manager with a home game against West Ham United on Saturday, August 13.
It means the Italian will be thrust right into Premier League action with the experience of a hotly-contested London derby at the first time of asking.
Chelsea's first game of the season comes just one month after the Euro 2016 final that could involve Conte's Italy team, who this week started their European Championship campaign with a 2-0 win over Belgium.
As well as their new manager, Chelsea also have players representing Spain, England and Belgium in France this summer. Depending on how far those teams go in the competition, preparation time for the game versus West Ham could be severely limited.
After facing the Hammers, Chelsea will play Watford (A) and Burnley (H) before the end of August, with fixtures against Swansea City (A), Liverpool (H) and Arsenal (A) in September.
So which games should Chelsea fans be marking in the 2016/17 calendar? Bleacher Report takes a closer look.
West Ham United
1 of 5
Date: August 13, 2016
Venue: Stamford Bridge
Were it not for Leicester City catching us all unawares last season, much more would have been written about Slaven Bilic's impact at West Ham United.
In his debut campaign as Hammers manager, the Croat completely changed the complexion of the club. From the tight, uninspiring football under Sam Allardyce's reign, suddenly West Ham played with dynamism and flair, helped by the excellent Dimitri Payet and Manuel Lanzini.
The Hammers were a real handful wherever they traveled, taking maximum points on the road against Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal on the opening weekend of the season.
Antonio Conte could have asked for a more forgiving opening fixture to his reign as Chelsea boss. Not only will he be coming up against a side that is looking settled under Bilic, the Italian has a London derby to be contending with.
It's far from ideal. Derbies are often unpredictable affairs and are played with a more intense pace than your average game in the league.
Conte needs to start with a win at Stamford Bridge to get Chelsea feeling confident in the changes happening at the club. It's going to be that bit more difficult now that they're facing the Hammers.
Liverpool
2 of 5
Date: September 17, 2016
Venue: Stamford Bridge
Of the Premier League's so-called biggest clubs, there are two who have no European commitments next season. Chelsea are one, with Liverpool being the other.
That means Jurgen Klopp will have just as much time on the training pitch with his side as Antonio Conte will have with his. For Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, that's a very dangerous proposition.
Two extremely able managers will be working with their players across a 38-game season with limited mid-week games. Conte and Klopp will be able to work more on developing their players and fine tuning their systems, rather than the usual hectic schedule that makes training sessions more about recovery.
It's also why, when Chelsea face Liverpool so early in the campaign, the Blues need to steal a match on them.
Given their stature, it seems strange to say it, but Chelsea and Liverpool are dark horses for the Premier League title. They didn't threaten the top-four places last season, but with time on their hands, we should see the two teams have vastly improved campaigns.
Arsenal
3 of 5
Date: September 24, 2016
Venue: Emirates Stadium
Despite their struggles in 2015/16, one thing Chelsea fans could count on was that they would beat Arsenal. The Blues did it in controversial style in September with a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge, which was followed up by a dominant 1-0 display at Emirates Stadium in January.
The trip to the Emirates this season comes much earlier, but it remains an ideal time to take points off the Gunners. A week earlier the Blues face Liverpool, so in the early stages of the season Chelsea has opportunities to build a foundation for their title aspirations.
This game represents more than just three points, though. Conte will be well into his job at Chelsea, and facing Arsenal has always been a good barometer for where Chelsea are as a team. If they dominate Arsene Wenger's men physically, it'll be a big indicator for how Conte is trying to rebuild Chelsea. We'll see whether the mettle of old still remains in the side.
Lose, and suddenly we're not sure where Chelsea are going and how effective Conte is proving as a coach, especially as this is one fixture where Chelsea have dominated in recent years.
Wenger's downfall when it comes to Chelsea is that too often he loses the tactical battle with his opposite number. How Conte deals with the Arsenal manager will be just as big a test for him as the game will be for Chelsea.
Manchester United
4 of 5
Date: October 22, 2016
Venue: Stamford Bridge
A football game will be played at Stamford Bridge on October 22, 2016, but we can already predict the side story. It's the return of manager Jose Mourinho to SW6 that will take all the headlines.
The moment the fixture list was announced this week, Chelsea fans would have looked for Manchester United's visit to Stamford Bridge first. It'll be Mourinho's homecoming and a chance to celebrate all he has done with the club.
Or will it?
The last time Mourinho was in west London as an opponent was in 2010. Back then it was with Inter Milan in the Champions League, and given there is little history between those clubs, Chelsea fans gave Mourinho a hero's welcome.
Now he's the manager of Manchester United, who will challenge Chelsea on all domestic fronts next term. Mourinho went to the dark side and joined a direct rival, so what will that do for his relationship with the Chelsea fans? Will they accept his decision? Or will it all turn sour?
Whatever happens in the game, the reaction to Mourinho from the terraces will be just as interesting.
Tottenham Hotspur
5 of 5
Date: November 26, 2016
Venue: Stamford Bridge
For neutrals, the first clash of the season between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur would be at White Hart Lane. After the way Chelsea ended Spurs' title hopes last term—not to mention their celebrations after the game at doing it—getting the Blues to north London would whet the appetite for a fierce London derby.
Antonio Conte and his players really would be entering a cauldron of hate.
Unless the cups determine otherwise, though, Chelsea won't visit White Hart Lane until January 2. By that time both clubs may have bigger fish to fry, so the game isn't guaranteed to be as dramatic.
First up, Mauricio Pochettino's men have to return to the scene of the crime and attempt to get one over the Blues. Remember, Spurs haven't won in west London since 1990, so victory of any sort at Stamford Bridge will be a major feather in the cap for them.
The notion is that the 2-2 draw between Chelsea and Spurs in May added to the ill-feeling between the clubs and this game now comes with a heightened importance. The first meeting between both sides since that game in May guarantees fireworks.
So batten down the hatches in November when we get to experience it all again.
Garry Hayes is Bleacher Report's lead Chelsea correspondent. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter @garryhayes
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