Chelsea Transfer News: Andre Villas-Boas' Starting 11 After Deadline Day

So it is finally over; the dramatic transfer deadline day passed, and Chelsea was eager to be amongst all the action.

The Blues frantically tried to persuade Daniel Levy, Spurs’ chairman, to retract on his vociferous claim that Luka Modric was not for sale at any price. Third, fourth and perhaps even more bids were faxed through (yes, fax still exists in English professional football, and it is the only way to officially submit a transfer of a player) in a frenzy as the clock ticked.

Everybody in the know—or at least those who claimed to be—had a different take on whether Modric would go or stay, but finally it was decided and Levy was true to his word...and then some!

It was revealed by Harry Redknapp late Wednesday night, as a Sky Sports reporter pulled over the Spurs' manager’s car for a customary chin-wag, that Chelsea went as high as £40 million ($65 million), a staggering amount for a player who Chelsea initially valued at close to half that sum.

Smaller deals slipped under the radar as Ulises Dávila, freshly-signed from Chivas de Guadalajara (the ink is not even dry yet), was farmed out to Dutch club Vitesse Arnham.

Patrick Van Aarnholt was loaned to Wigan Athletic, and Gael Kakuta will hope to become the third big loan success after Jack Wilshire and Daniel Sturridge to prosper at Bolton Wanderers.

So now that the dust has settled, what is Andre Villas-Boas left with to confront his first season in English football?

Here is what I believe will be the Portuguese’s ideal starting 11.

Goalkeeper: Petr Cech

Self-explanatory really, Cech was imperious in the opening fixture to Stoke and looked as confident as ever in dealing with the arduous aerial threat posed by the Potters.

When he is fit, his great height and ability to command the back four allow the Blues to boast the country’s best defence.

Right Back: Jose Bosingwa

A surprise upturn in form since the Portuguese tactician has arrived means Bosingwa has a lifeline at Stamford Bridge.

His adventurous forays in to the opposition’s half and blistering pace have persuaded Villas-Boas to select the former Porto defender ahead of the occupant under Carlo Ancelotti, Branislav Ivanovic.

Centre Back: John Terry

Perhaps not as mobile as he once was, the Blues’ skipper is a terrific leader and vital to any aspirations the club has of returning to winning trophies.

Terry leads by example and is still desperate to achieve success in Europe, as well as reclaim the Premier League.

When fit, the England skipper never allows Chelsea to peter out and will ensure the Blues fight until the end in their pursuit of glory.

Centre Back: David Luiz

The charismatic Brazilian instantaneously introduced himself to Premier League fans upon arriving from Benfica in January by illustrating his capability to be a match winner at either end.

A massive season awaits the Brazilian who will want to showcase his qualities at Chelsea in order to win back his place in Mano Menezes’ Brazil side.

If Luiz can iron out the erratic mistakes and improve his concentration, there is potential to become one of the best centre backs in the world.

Left Back: Ashley Cole

Who else? Cole has been superb since his arrival from Arsenal and has consistently proven to be one of the best in the world at his position.

Odd lapses in concentration happened last season, but then, the whole Chelsea side was guilty of that at times.

Cole is a sure thing to perform to his best on the big stage and shows no signs of slowing down as he looks to add to his trophy collection with the Blues.

Centre Midfielder: Raul Meireles

The Portuguese was deemed to be surplus to requirements at Anfield as Kenny Dalglish snapped up Charlie Adam and Jordan Henderson to add competition to Liverpool's centre midfield—even if the latter is accommodated for the right side of midfield for the time being.

This left no space for the very impressive Meireles, who was vital to Liverpool's late push for an unlikely Champions League spot, including a winner at Stamford Bridge.

Villas-Boas has missed out on Luka Modric, but Meireles offers a neat alternative.

Meireles can operate next to the holding midfielder, or Frank Lampard might take on this role and the ex-Porto midfielder could roam closer to Fernando Torres.

He is a clever player and unselfish in attack, as proven by his assist for Luis Suarez at The Emirates two weeks a go.

After being disappointingly pushed out of Liverpool, Meireles will be eager to impress in his final saloon at the top of the English game being 28 years old and hungry to fit in wherever will be to Chelsea's advantage.

Defensive Midfield: Ramires

The Brazilian endured a torrid first few months at Stamford Bridge due to unfair criticism levied at him from his own fans who lacked patience and understanding to know that a player needs time to adapt to the rigours of the Premier League.

Since the second half of last season, Ramires has been a phenomenon with pace and energy to unsettle the opponents in possession with his relentless pressing off the ball.

When the Blues are in possession, Ramires is capable of initiating devastating counterattacks (such as the one that led to the penalty against Norwich last weekend) with lung-splitting stamina that takes him past opponents with ease.

A vital addition to the team and already a fixture in the starting 11, the Brazilian has not often played as the deepest member of the Chelsea midfield. But when you analyse Villas-Boas' Porto formation, he liked one sitter in Fernando next to a passer, which could be Meireles or Lampard, while the other one operates much closer to the front three.

The key characteristic Villas-Boas enjoyed in his main midfield enforcer was Fernando's dynamism, and Ramires has this in abundance, whereas Mikel can be quite lethargic.

Centre Midfielder: Frank Lampard

Lampard showed signs of deterioration last season with lengthy spells on the sidelines through injury.

But Lampard returned with some impressive form and has already demonstrated a hunger to adapt to the team in expectation of a physical regression that will likely prevent the Englishman from continuing his remarkable efforts of surging from box to box before scoring at the ratio of a striker.

Lampard still remains a vital piece to the Chelsea side, and such is his diligence in physical preparation that despite a lack of pace, it is easy to forecast him being as crucial to Chelsea in years to come as Ryan Giggs is now for Manchester United.

Villas-Boas needs Lampard for the time being, and he will continue to defy expectations with an abundance of goals from midfield.

Right Wing: Daniel Sturridge

Chelsea has knocked back several requests for the English starlet to exit on yet another loan deal, but the Blues were determined to keep hold of his services with Villas-Boas foreseeing that Sturridge will be an integral part to his new-look Chelsea.

Unfortunately for the Blues, Sturridge was suspended for the opening three games, which prevented him from immediately proving his preseason form could be replicated in the Premier League.

But Sturridge will now be ready to feature after the international break, and his pace and trickery, combined with clinical finishing, make Sturridge a potentially devastating attacker—especially in a Chelsea system operating from the right wing and cutting in on his wand of a left boot.

Left Wing: Juan Mata

The Spaniard is the blockbuster signing of the summer at Stamford Bridge, and huge expectations have already been generated after a special cameo at Norwich last weekend.

The World Cup winner capped an impressive debut with a delightfully-finished goal, curled left-footed in to the bottom left corner.

Mata is very comfortable on the ball, has an eye for a pass and has a deadly combination of quick feet and pace to enable him to beat defenders on the outside.

Chelsea will be hoping Mata can link up with the striker and create havoc with his clever movement. The move has come at the right time in the Spaniard’s career as he attempts to take his game to the final level of professional football and attempt to win the Champions League.

Striker: Fernando Torres

Torres has endured a frustrating time at Stamford Bridge since his bumper £50 million move from Liverpool in January.

That form has continued, to a degree, this season, but it is unthinkable that Chelsea will give up on the World Cup winner just yet.

Torres looked bright and sharp against Stoke, and will be excited to link up with his countryman, Mata, after the international break.

There was a glimpse of the chemistry that could develop between the two when Mata whipped in a cross for a glancing Torres header that unfortunately was directed straight at the goalkeeper.

Torres has yet to experience considerable playing time with Mata at Chelsea and none whatsoever with Daniel Sturridge, who can both help the Spaniard reach his best form once more.

Other Possibilities: Ivanovic, Anelka, Drogba, Malouda, Romeu, Mikel?

Chelsea has a strong squad, and there appears to be a number of alternatives for Andre Villas-Boas.

At the back, the only alternative since Alex's blunder against West Brom would appear to be Branislav Ivanovic at right back (more than likely in Champions League away ties or big Premier League clashes away from home).

The midfield is a fascinating one, with the possibility that Oriol Romeu is the exact type of holding midfielder Chelsea craves. With a blend of Sergio Busquets and Andrea Pirlo, perhaps the Catalan is not quite ready yet.

Another option would be John Obi Mikel, who offers that extra sturdiness and physical dominance as a holding midfielder who is tactically disciplined.

Striking options remain plentiful, even if Salomon Kalou appears to have wasted his final chance after being hauled off after half an hour against West Brom, then not even appearing on the bench against Norwich.

Florent Malouda can offer goals as proven by being the Blues' top scorer last season, but it appears that Villas-Boas is looking for something extra as the Portuguese has experimented with others, even before Daniel Sturridge became available.

Nicolas Anelka is another option on the wings who is comfortable on the ball and would be the perfect substitute if the Blues were in a lead. Anelka can stretch the opposition by pulling wide with his pace, but is also very strong on the ball and keeps it with great care.

Didier Drogba is certain to apply some pressure on Fernando Torres if the Spaniard's form continues in this vain. Drogba is undoubtedly world class, but it remains to be seen whether he can play on the same team as Torres, let alone in Villas-Boas' favourite 4-3-3.

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