Chelsea: Preview of the Blues' Preseason

The pre-season starts now. Yes, I do know that the transfer window has been on for some time now and rumors have been incessant. However, there have been few big moves that have made the headlines, excluding transfers for Manchester United (and Real Madrid). 

Now we look at Chelsea F.C.. The Stamford Bridge faithful experienced a lackluster campaign last season and will be expecting newly appointed coach Andre Villas-Boas to change a few things at the Blues. But this article is not meant to solely talk about players rumored to be Chelsea-bound; instead, this article will preview Chelsea's pre-season in full detail. I will be mentioning upcoming friendly matches, new tactics, etc., as well as the players rumored to be in and out of Stamford Bridge. 

Friendlies Played in UK

16 July 2011: Portsmouth vs. Chelsea 

6 August 2011: Rangers vs. Chelsea

These two friendlies don't mean too much to the Blues in any way. Andre Villas-Boas will certainly play lots of substitutes in the first match against Portsmouth as the first team will be just five days away from their opening fixture of the Asia trip. This game may seem like a game for Portsmouth to avenge their FA Cup final defeat two last year, but that's not the case at all. I expect both teams to play substitutes and the game to end in a draw (1-1). 

The Rangers game is a little more interesting. Chelsea travel to Glasgow in their final pre-season match before they kick off their EPL campaign. I expect a full Chelsea squad to play this game. Rangers will most likely do the same. However, this game may be disappointing nonetheless as the players will want to stay injury-free. I do expect Chelsea to win the game, probably by a score of 2-0.

Friendlies Played in Asia

21 July 2011: Malaysia XI vs. Chelsea [Kuala Lumpur]

24 July 2011: Thailand XI vs. Chelsea [Bangkok]

27 July 2011: Kitchee vs. Chelsea [Hong Kong]

30 July 2011: Blackburn Rovers or Aston Villa vs. Chelsea [Hong Kong]

Chelsea's Asia trip is ten days long and looks set to be great. In 2008, Chelsea played three matches in East Asia and scored a total of 13 goals while advertising itself tremendously. This year, Chelsea will play against two "XI" teams before moving on to the biennial Barclays Asia Trophy, which consists of three EPL teams and one Chinese team that hosts the competition. This year, Chelsea will face Hong Kong-based Kitchee. Depending on whether the Blues win or not, they will face either Blackburn Rovers or Aston Villa, who face in the other semi-final. 

Most people who don't support Chelsea will not watch these games. These friendlies are mainly done for a few reasons: to increase popularity in other parts of the world, to test out new players and to see which positions needs more work, and to keep players fit.

New Chelsea Staff

I'll make this one quick. As we all know, Andre Villas-Boas is Chelsea's new manager. This may or may not be a long term job for the Portuguese but he is at Stamford Bridge for now. Chelsea fans will be very happy with the club's choice for manager and they will be equally joyful that Roberto Di Matteo has been appointed as one of the assistant coaches. With the former Chelsea player, former Chelsea Reserves Coach Steve Holland and Michael Emenalo (who keeps his position from last year) fill up the three assistant coach spots. 

It's not clear how long Andre Villas-Boas will remain at Chelsea, but the young man has huge potential for being one of the greatest managers ever.

Chelsea Transfers

Chelsea Transfers (Done Deals) So Far:

In:

None

Out:

Fabio Borini (Parma)

Gokhan Tore, Jacopo Sala, Michael Mancienne (All Hamburg)

Jeffrey Bruma- 2-Year Loan (Hamburg)

Chelsea Transfer Rumors (Chance of Buying this Summer):

Romelo Lukaku (8/10)

Radamel Falcao (7/10)

Luka Modric (6/10)

Wesley Sneijder (4/10)

Neymar (2/10)

Joao Moutinho (6/10)

Sergio Aguero (6/10)

Fabio Coentrao (5/10)

Gregory Van Der Wiel (6/10)

Arda Turan (4/10)

Javier Pastore (7/10)

Out of Chelsea Transfer Rumors (Chance of Selling this Summer):

Nicolas Anelka (7/10)

Daniel Sturridge (5/10)

Saloman Kalou (4/10)

Michael Essien (2/10)

Jose Bosingwa (8/10)

Yuri Zhirkov (4/10)

Didier Drogba (5/10)

Florent Malouda (5/10)

Verdict:

It is widely rumored that Chelsea will clean out many of their old players this summer. I'm not so convinced that this will happen but I am almost completely sure that Chelsea's offensive line will be different. I do expect Anelka to leave, but I think Drogba will have one more year at Stamford Bridge. Sturridge has expressed his desire to stay at the Blues in recent times and I expect him to rule out a move this summer. I think that he might contemplate his future in the upcoming January transfer window. In midfield, Essien is going nowhere despite the various rumors saying that he could be involved in a swap-deal. Malouda and Zhirkov could be on their way out though after unproductive campaigns. Andre Villas-Boas will certainly want to buy a creative, young midfielder and may want to sell before buying. In defense, I expect no changes, but I suppose that a deal for Gregory Van Der Wiel wouldn't be bad. On the whole, I expect Chelsea to spend at least $60 million this summer on at least one forward and one midfielder.

Preparing Team for Upcoming Season

Andre Villas-Boas now has the job of gearing Chelsea for the new season. He will have to make sure every player on the team is obedient to him and will take some of Jose Mourinho's tactics to do so. Mourinho, for so many years, was able to get the backing of all of his players and that helped Chelsea win so many trophies under the Portuguese.

Last season, Chelsea players had no apparent trust and confidence in Carlo Ancelotti and that is one of the main reasons why the Blues ended the campaign trophy-less. Now Villas-Boas will need to control the big egos and make sure that nothing gets in the way of Chelsea winning next season.

Chelsea tactics/Lineup:

Probable Formation: 4-3-3

Style of Play: Controlled Passing and Attacking Play (not a huge change from Chelsea's tactics under Ancelotti)

Most likely lineup (including possible transfers):

GK: Cech

RB: Ivanovic/ Van Der Wiel  CB: Terry  CB: Luiz  LB: A. Cole

RCM: Moutinho/Modric  DM: Essien/Mikel  LCM: Lampard

RW: Falcao/Lukaku  ST: Torres  LW: Malouda/Drogba

(The lineup may be completely different depending on what transfers are made.)