Season preview: Chelsea

Can new boss Andre Villas-Boas work his magic at Stamford Bridge?

Hopes and fears It’s all change once again in the Stamford Bridge dugout. A potless season for Carlo Ancelotti – albeit just a year after winning the Double – proved enough for owner Roman Abramovich to pull the trigger on yet another manager, and Porto’s Andre Villas-Boas, right, becomes the seventh incumbent of the (very) hot seat since the Russian’s arrival in 2003. The Champions League remains the holy grail, but in the meantime there’s the small matter of ensuring an ageing squad can continue to fight United and the rest for domestic honours.

You’re the boss Villas-Boas has been quick to distance himself from comparisons with ‘the special one’, but the parallels are inescapable. Jose Mourinho’s former assistant arrives similarly garlanded, having won a league, cup and Europa League treble with Porto last season. He is joined by ex-Blue Roberto Di Matteo, a shrewd move in linking Chelsea’s past and present.

Who’s the man? A big season is expected of Fernando Torres. Since his £50m move from Liverpool, ‘El Niño’ has shown precious little of the whirlwind pace and penetration that earned him the nickname, scoring just once. Fitness permitting, the Spaniard will be anxious to justify his status as Chelsea’s record signing. Definitely not-the-man, for six months at least, is Michael Essien, after surgery to repair ruptured knee ligaments.

Young guns Josh McEachran, at just 18, appears to be a fine prospect in midfield. Likened

by ex-first-team coach Ray Wilkins to 1970s Arsenal wizard Liam Brady, the left-footed youngster has a fine range of passing and will be hoping to add to his four starts (and 13 subs) last term.

Ins and outs Spurs' Luka Modric has been heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge throughout the summer and the midfielder is reportedly keen to go. Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was signed and then immediately loaned to Atletico Madrid, while Barcelona midfielder Oriol Romeu and teenage Anderlecht striker Romelu Lukaku have also been snapped up.

Away-day heaven or hell? Nine years was a long time without a win, and a lot of gloomy journeys back from the capital. But last term’s Champions League success will hopefully herald more luck in the league, too.

Well I never… On their way to a first title success in 1955, Chelsea hosted an amazing goal-fest against United. The Reds won 6-5, with hat-tricks for Dennis Viollet and the Blues’ Seamus O’Connell.