Chelsea FC Analysis: Predicting the Starting XI for the 2011/2012 Season

With the season drawing closer and closer to its end, it looks like Chelsea are going to need a miracle to have any chance at the league title this year. I'm not saying they have no chance, but after the 1-1 draw with Stoke over the weekend, it does seem very unlikely.

Chelsea still have a great chance at the Champions League this year, but it is about time Chelsea fans started looking forward to next season and thinking about some summer transfer possibilities.

With that, let me begin on what I hope Chelsea's team is going to look like at the start of next season. 

Summer Tranfers

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LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 27: Neymar of Brazil on the ball during the International friendly match between Brazil and Scotland at Emirates Stadium on March 27, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Jamie McDonald/Getty Images)

It is fair to say Chelsea's years of massive summer spending are over, but after their January signings, Chelsea fans can't really start complaining.

Fernando Torres has yet to live up to the hype since joining Chelsea in January, and the Brazilian superstar Neymar has to be top of Chelsea's target list.

He had an outstanding performance against Scotland, scoring the opener and winning and converting a penalty to give Brazil the 2-0 win. If Chelsea can pull off this signing, it would be a great boost, but don't expect him to just slip into the starting team straight away. 

Defenders

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LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 20: David Luiz (R), John Terry (C) and Ashley Cole (L) celebrate victory the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on March 20, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty

GK: Peter Cech
LB: Ashley Cole
CB: John Terry
CB: David Luiz
RB: Branislav Ivanovich

Nobody can question the amount of talent Chelsea's January signing, David Luiz has. He has already shown he will be a Chelsea star in the future, and I think he has won the right to start next season.

Chelsea's captain, John Terry, has been at his top form lately winning back the England captaincy. There is no doubt he'll start next season.

In my opinion Chelsea's best defender, Ashley Cole, and one of my favourite players, Branislav Ivanovich, should not be challenged for a starting position next season.

Midfielders

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LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 20: Ashley Cole (L), John Terry (2L), Frank Lampard and an injured Florent Malouda of Chelsea (2R) appeal to referee Chris Foy during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on Marc

Frank Lampard                                                                                                                         Michael Essien                                                                                                                           Florent Malouda 

Essien's season has been riddled with injury, and he's yet to show his best. But at his best, he could be considered Chelsea's best player and should start if no midfield talent is brought in over the summer.

Frank Lampard and Florent Malouda are my two favourites for Chelsea's player of the season and should both keep their starting jobs next season.                                                                                                                        

Forwards

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LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 14: Fernando Torres of Chelsea is replaced by Didier Drogba of Chelsea during the Barclays Premier League match between Fulham and Chelsea at Craven Cottage on February 14, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Scott Heavey/Getty

Didier Drogba                                                                                                                           Fernando Torres                                                                                                                          Nicolas Anelka/Neymar

Didier Drogba and Fernando Torres are yet to have been given a fair chance to see if they can play together, and I still think it would work brilliantly if they were to give it a go.

Anelka or Neymar? This is a decision I just cannot make at this moment in time.

For one, Neymar is not a definite signing, and Anelka's future at the club is still uncertain. If they were both at the club next season and I had to pick one, I would say Anelka to start off and just keep bringing Neymar off the bench until he is ready to start.

Conclusion

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BANGKOK, THAILAND - MARCH 16: Thai girls pose with UEFA Champions League Trophy during the UEFA Champions League Trophy Tour Asia 2011 Press Conference on March 16, 2011 in Bangkok, Thailand. (Photo by Athit Perawongmetha/Getty Images)

GK: Peter Cech
LB: Ashley Cole
CB: John Terry
CB: David Luiz
RB: Branislav Ivanovich
M: Frank Lampard
M: Michael Essien
M: Florent Malouda
F: Didier Drogba
F: Fernando Torres
F: Nicolas Anelka

Subs: Ross Turnbull, Neymar, Josh McEachran, Ramires, Yossi Benayoun, John-Obi Mikel, Jose Bosingwa

In closing, I would like to wish Chelsea the best of luck with the rest of the season and with their Champions League clash with Manchester United on Wednesday.

And finally I would like to apologise for my break from writing with Bleacher Report. I can only say I was busy, but for now I'm back and looking forward to writing again.