A player-by-player comparison of the two title challengers.With Chelsea and Liverpool among the busiest clubs in the summer transfer window as they face another fight for the Premier League title this season, CaughtOffside takes a look at the state of their squads after £201.8m’s worth of new players were brought in this summer…
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Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois vs Simon Mignolet
Two superb goalkeepers also fighting for the number one spot for the Belgian national team, it has to be said that Thibaut Courtois looks the obvious winner of this battle, with the youngster showing himself to be a world class talent during his three-year loan spell with Atletico Madrid, while Mignolet has been somewhat inconsistent since moving to Liverpool from Sunderland last year.
Vote: Courtois
Right-back: Branislav Ivanovic vs Glen Johnson
In terms of all-round ability defensively and in attack, Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic is surely trhe winner of this battle with Glen Johnson, who is somewhat known for his lack of concentration at the back, even if he is a superbly technically gifted attacking player from full-back.
Vote: Ivanovic
Left-back: Filipe Luis vs Alberto Moreno
Two new additions to the Premier League this summer at left-back, it must be said that Liverpool’s Alberto Moreno is a highly exciting signing after impressing at Sevilla last season. The youngster is a superb attacker and announced himself with a stunning solo goal in last weekend’s win over Tottenham Hotspur. Filipe Luis, meanwhile, was a rock solid performer for Atletico Madrid last term, though he has struggled to break into the Chelsea team so far.
Vote: Moreno
Centre-back: John Terry vs Dejan Lovren
Chelsea’s long-serving defender and leader John Terry remains one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League and should prove a crucial performer for Jose Mourinho’s side this season. Even if Dejan Lovren proves a good signing for Liverpool, he has some work to do to establish himself as a better or more important player than Terry.
Vote: Terry
Centre-back: Gary Cahill vs Mamadou Sakho
The other half of Chelsea’s solid defensive partnership, Gary Cahill seems the likely winner of this battle as well, joining Terry in this lineup. Still, Liverpool’s Mamadou Sakho is likely to improve this season after having a year to settle in English football, and could prove to be another top Premier League defender.
Vote: Cahill
Central midfield: Nemanja Matic vs Emre Can
Two similar midfield players who like to play deep, defend, and dictate the play with some cultured left-footed passing, Nemanja Matic and Emre Can should prove important players for their clubs this season. Whilst a great prospect, Can has yet to prove himself at this level and Matic’s fine performances for Chelsea so far surely make him the clear winner here.
Vote: Matic
Central midfield: Cesc Fabregas vs Steven Gerrard
In an extremely close call, it is perhaps Liverpool’s inspirational captain Steven Gerrard who edges this one. Cesc Fabregas has looked superb for Chelsea so far, but it is Gerrard’s all-round ability at the back and going forward that make him more of a game-changer in difficult situations, and he is perhaps more important to his side, making him the winner in a tight battle here.
Vote: Gerrard
Attacking midfield: Eden Hazard vs Philippe Coutinho
Two of the most entertaining attacking midfield players in the Premier League and perhaps Europe, it has to be Chelsea star Eden Hazard who edges this one due to his overall contribution to the Blues team with his superb record in goals and assists. The Belgian international is a truly world class player who is now up there with the best players in the English top flight after Luis Suarez left Liverpool for Barcelona this summer.
Vote: Hazard
Attacking midfield: Andre Schurrle vs Raheem Sterling
Two pacey and skillful wingers that cause defenders nightmares week in, week out, but Liverpool’s wonderkid Raheem Sterling is certainly the bigger talent. The England youngster was in mesmerising form for club and country last season, helping the Reds dream of the Premier League title, though Schurrle looks much improved this season and will also be an important player for his club.
Vote: Sterling
Striker: Diego Costa vs Mario Balotelli
Two immense strikers who have both been among the most exciting new signings to come to the Premier League this summer, this is an extremely close call that can only be settled on performances so far. Chelsea’s Diego Costa has already scored four goals and looked superb, finally giving the Blues what they need upfront. Liverpool’s Mario Balotelli remains something of an enigma but can also prove an excellent addition once he settles in and hits top form for his new club.
Vote: Costa
Striker: Loic Remy vs Daniel Sturridge
Two more strikers who are among the best in the Premier League, Chelsea new-boy Loic Remy is not quite up there with Liverpool star Daniel Sturridge, who took his game to a whole new level in the Reds’ superb season last year. It remains to be seen if Remy will even get regular playing time at Stamford Bridge, while Sturridge looks more and more like a player the club should not have let go.
Vote: Sturridge
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