A look at five ways Chelsea can improve even further as they look to defend their Premier League crown next season…
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1) Bring in a new striker to challenge Costa
Although Diego Costa has been an excellent performer since signing for Chelsea last summer, the Spaniard clearly has some problems with injury that have left the Blues a little short of options at times. The 26-year-old missed some big games for Atletico Madrid as well last season, and has only started 23 Premier League games this term. In itself that isn’t a huge problem, but Loic Remy has had similar problems with his fitness, while Didier Drogba is clearly past his best. A new backup striker who is both younger, fitter and of a higher standard is needed in this summer’s transfer window.
2) Find a backup for Fabregas
Another superb signing by Chelsea last summer, Cesc Fabregas made an instant impact at Stamford Bridge when he joined from Barcelona. Again, however, he doesn’t look like a player who can cope with the strain of playing every game over the whole season, with his performance levels dipping dramatically in the second half of the campaign, as he was often criticised for doing during his time at the Nou Camp. Another creative midfielder to rotate with the former Arsenal man should be another priority for the club in the transfer market.
3) Add more flair to the side
At times, Chelsea have had to grind out wins against opposition they should sweep aside with ease. Part of that is the over-reliance on Eden Hazard to provide that moment of magic and quality. The Belgian deserves to be PFA Player of the Year after his superb individual season, but the Blues should be hoping Jose Mourinho can bring in another similar kind of match-winner to give his team a bit more in the way of goals to help decide tight games – as well as, whisper it, make his side a little more pleasing on the eye…
4) Get the best out of Cuadrado
Of course, one way to fix that issue could be to give more playing time to January signing Juan Cuadrado. The Colombian international joined from Fiorentina in one of the most exciting deals of the season, but has so far failed to make any kind of impact in English football. Much of his time has been spent on the bench, but even when he’s been on the pitch he’s looked a little out of sorts. There’s no doubt Cuadrado is a potentially world class talent and hugely entertaining player, so he should certainly be given more chances to get used to his team-mates next season and become a more important member of the starting lineup.
5) Do better in the Champions League
While it’s hard to find fault in Chelsea’s domestic campaign, it must be said that they will be disappointed with the manner of their exit from the Champions League. Their former player David Luiz looked better than he is in Paris Saint-Germain’s away-goals victory at Stamford Bridge, taking advantage of some poor set-piece defending from the Blues to progress into the quarter-finals. PSG were then comfortably thrashed by Barcelona, showing that they really aren’t the kind of team that Chelsea should be struggling against.