<h2 class="ss-header hstyle2">Chelsea 2007/08 preview</h2><h3>Usurped champions want crown back</h3><p class="ss-text-bold">When Jose Mourinho landed in England in June 2004 he did so with a broad smile, sardonic wit and some of the finest cashmere ever committed to a touchline. </p> </p> And for two years his press conferences were full of laughter and charisma as the new golden boy took delight in usurping the Premier League's godfather Sir Alex, with a patronising pat on the head that will live long in the memory. </p> </p> The housewives' favourite could do no wrong but last summer, Mr Ballack and Mr Shevchenko (amid talk of interference from above) arrived to much fanfare, two signings out of synch with those normally acquired by a manager that has previously eschewed 'star' names and the rest, as they say, is history. </p> </p> Neither player replicated anything like their best form as Chelsea found themselves relinquishing the title to Manchester United, as cracks began to emerge in the relationship between manager and owner, with Mourinho and Roman Abramovich at loggerheads for much of a past campaign, which delivered two trophies but was ultimately deemed a disappointment. </p><h4>Rejuvenate Jose</h4> The sharp suits were replaced by sartorially dour Chelsea regalia, the smile turned to a surly scowl and frankly, Mourinho looked miserable. But, as sea lovers will testify, the Portuguese Man O'War is never more dangerous than when challenged and after a pre-season in which relations between Mourinho and Ambramovich have thawed, the forthcoming campaign could yet see Ferguson and co see the full potency of his sting.</p> For all their riches, last season demonstrated - to Mourinho's ire when he was blocked from making signings in January - that their squad lacked true depth. John Terry's absence through injury culminated in the ever excellent Michael Essien dropping back to defence, in a move which deprived Chelsea's midfield of its heartbeat, as the ageing Claude Makelele began finally, perhaps, to feel his advanced years. </p> </p> The impeccable Frenchman, surely one of the Premier League's finest ever imports, had his time called as Mourinho preferred the temperamental-but-talented John Obi Mikel, who could well find himself at the base of Chelsea's midfield this season. </p> </p> Challenging Mikel for a starting spot will be new boy Steve Sidwell, who is back in the capital and the big time following what was a fine debut top flight campaign last term, at the division's surprise packages Reading. </p> </p> Sidwell's arrival, especially when placed in context with the salubrious names attracted by United, will cause not even a ripple but for Mourinho it will be deemed a purchase of substance over style, which will add solidity to the pool of players already at his disposal. </p><h5><font size="1">Solid signings</font></h5> The signing of Sidwell set the precedent for the rest of the summer, as previous close-seasons of ostentatious acquisitions were laid to rest, as Tal Ben Haim and Claudio Pizarro also arrived for minimum outlay, while Alex's long-protracted switch from PSV Eidhoven is expected to be concluded soon. </p> </p> And, given a congested treatment room that currently houses Terry, Didier Drogba, Andrei Shevchenko, Michael Ballack and Makelele, Chelsea supporters will be mightily relieved fresh faces have been added. </p> </p> Injuries withstanding, though, Chelsea's real Achilles heel could come in January when Drogba, Salomon Kalou, Essien and Mikel could all depart for foreign shores and the African Cup of Nations. </p> </p> Malouda's signing ended one of the pre-season's more draining transfers and the Frenchman should add an easy-on-the-eye guile, to a side which embraces a mantra of being efficient over exhilarating. </p> </p> It seems likely Malouda will take the place of Arjen Robben, who appears bound for Real Madrid, while Shaun Wright-Phillips will feel his time may finally arrive if the Dutchman does indeed depart. </p> </p> Another player who has looked a pale imitation of his former self following a big-money move to West London is Ashley Cole and while he has complained that last season he spent much of the time injured, his rival, Wayne Bridge, will care not one iota as he looks to increase the pressure on a player not now guaranteed a place for both club and country. </p> </p> For all the criticism lodged in his direction, Frank Lampard, bulging wallet in tow following a huge pay rise, remains a Mourinho favourite and with a remarkable goal record, he will continue to be the first name on his manager's team sheet. </p> </p> At the business end of the field, Drogba will hope to build on what was a magnificent last campaign and Mourinho will be hoping his talismanic Ivorian will be handed greater support from Shevchenko, who like Ballack, cut a forlorn figure for much of what was the quintessential difficult first season. </p> </p> Pizarro's goal record in Germany suggests he has not moved to Chelsea to get splinters in his derriere and the powerful Peruvian should provide the type of competition for places Mourinho craves. </p> </p> Manchester United look to have set the standard for the forthcoming campaign but as Chelsea demonstrated last season, big name buys guarantee nothing expect big wage bills, so after a season of playing bridesmaid, Mourinho will be quietly confident of donning a veil come the campaign's close. </p> </p> Star Man: Didier Drogba </p> Leading from the front last season, Drogba was an embodiment of everything his manager craves, making a mockery of his critics in the process. </p> One to Watch: Joe Cole </p> After a season of acute frustration, the diminutive schemer will be hungrier than every to cement his place as England's finest creator. </p> Manager: Jose Mourinho </p> has promised a cool campaign but the Portuguese remains a master manipulator and will occupy plenty of column inches. </p> INS: Florent Malouda (Lyon), Steve Sidwell (Reading), Claudio Pizarro (Bayern Munich), Tal Ben Haim (Bolton), Stuart Searle (Basingstoke). </p> OUTS: Nuno Morais (Apoel Nicosia) Yves Makabu-Ma Kalambay (Hibs), Jonas Elmer (FC Aarau), Geremi (Newcastle), Khalid Boulahrouz (Sevilla, loan), Ben Sahar (QPR, loan), Michael Mancienne (QPR, loan) Jimmy Smith (Norwich, loan) </p> Best signing: Tal Ben Haim </p> Sky Bet Odds: 6/4 </p> Likely top scorer: Didier Drogba </p> Possible best XI (Cech, Johnson, Terry, Carvalho, Cole, Mikel, Essien, Lampard, Malouda, Cole, Drogba) </p> </p> </p> Mourinho: Watch out Fergie </p> </p> </p> </p> </p> </p> </p> </p>
