Summing up the summer: Chelsea

CL winners look to re-assert themselves in PL

By Taymour Roushdi | 16th August 2012

With their Champions League hoodoo finally over, it’s time for Chelsea to rectify their sixth place finish from last season.

Finally installed as the permanent manager, Robbie Di Matteo has overseen the signatures of three of the world’s top talents. However, it remains interesting how Chelsea will cope without the Didier Drogba factor.

In comes two-time Ligue 1 player of the year Eden hazard (along with his little brother Thorgan), German playmaker Marko Marin, and one of Brazil’s many rising stars Oscar.

The notable departures from Stamford Bridge this summer were Jose Bosingwa, Salomon Kalou, and of course, the ever influential and legendary striker Didier Drogba.

Belgian international Hazard has joined Chelsea from Lille, where he helped them to the Ligue 1 title in 2011. Considered to be one of Europe’s top talents, he boasts excellent ball control and dribbling skill, with a renowned ability to take on defenders.

His style of football strongly resembles that of a former Chelsea winger, Joe Cole.

Marin, 23, has emerged as a bright playmaker whilst plying his trade for Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga. Promising play has earned him call-ups to the national squad and a place in Germany’s 2010 World Cup squad.

However, he spent much of last season sidelined due to injury and Chelsea fans will be eager to see if he can adapt his game to the rigors of the Premier League.

Part of Brazil’s new golden generation, Oscar has gone through every level of international football, leading him to his latest achievement of playing in the recently finished Olympics and picking up a silver medal. As yet another play-maker in the Blues’ packed midfield, he has the ability to find a quick pass as well as protect the ball.

Overall, this season could be very promising for Chelsea if Fernando Torres can start firing and filling the enormous shoes a certain Ivorian left at the Bridge.

The main difficulty for Di Matteo will be dealing with the multitude of playmakers he now has, but as many managers (particularly new ones) will say, that is certainly a good problem to have.