Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp believes Chelsea are going to retain the Premier League title, regardless of Diego Costa’s injury concerns.
“A lot can change before the transfer window closes, but as it stands right now, I make Chelsea favourites to win the Premier League this season.” said Redknapp.
“There hasn’t been that buzz around them that there was last year. When they signed Diego Costa, Cesc Fabregas and got Thibaut Courtois back from Atletico Madrid last summer, you felt ‘there’s something really special happening with Chelsea’ and everyone thought they’d win the league. But this season, it seems a bit flat. They should be bouncing into the new season. Instead there are doubts about Costa’s fitness, they haven’t won a pre-season game and lost the Community Shield to Arsenal. And if they don’t get off to a good start things can change very quickly.”
Chelsea have only signed goalkeeper Asmir Begovic and striker Radamel Falcao so far this summer, something which has surprised Redknapp.
“I thought Mourinho would have gone in and signed one or two big names to freshen it up, though. There’s no shortage of money there and I’m very surprised he hasn’t brought anyone in. He must be happy with the depth of his squad.”
“Costa scored five goals against Swansea last year and that shows you the value he brings. Chelsea should have won the title in 2013/14 but didn’t have a striker. Last year Costa provided the goals they were missing.”
“But he’s had these hamstring problems for nearly two years and it looks like he could miss the opener against Swansea, at least. It must be a worry for Chelsea.”
“However, Eden Hazard is the main man – and I’m expecting an even better season from him this year. He’s the best attacker in the country and proved that last season. If you were to ask anybody in the league, who is the one player they’d want to strengthen their team, they’d say him. He’s dynamic, he scores goals, he’s added work rate to his game. At times last year he single-handedly won games for Chelsea.”
[All quotes sourced from Sky Sports]