Jose Mourinho has been brought back to Chelsea this season with the objective of regaining the Premier League title. The Blues were last crowned champions of England back in 2009-10, but have since had to watch on as the Manchester sides battle it out for top spot.
This season the west London outfit have shown glimpses of what they are capable of, but it feels like they have yet to hit top gear. With the star-studded squad at Mourinho’s potential, there is no doubt that Chelsea are good enough to win the Premier League title this season.
After 16 games, Chelsea sit in third place, two points adrift of Arsenal in top spot – who they face in their next match. With the club looking to win the division and be crowned champions of England, here are five players that will be critical in their push for major silverware.
John Terry
The Chelsea captain has refound his confidence and best form under Mourinho, and has been one of the most consistent centre-halves in England this season.
Despite the years starting to take their toll, Terry is still a commanding presence in the Blues’ back four and the side’s talisman.
Given that the rest of the back four has had changes throughout the campaign, having someone of Terry’s experience and standing in the heart of the team is a real positive feature for Chelsea in their title push.
Fernando Torres
The much-maligned striker has finally started to show what he is capable of at Stamford Bridge after a number of frustrating years at the west London club.
Despite the presence of Samuel Eto’o and Demba Ba, the Spaniard is quite rightly Mourinho’s first-choice centre forward on more occasions than not.
Torres has started to hit the back of the net in both the Premier League and in Europe, and his general link-up play and contribution to the team has been excellent.
Despite rumblings of a new striker to be brought in during the January transfer window, the former Liverpool man could well fire his side to glory this season.
Eden Hazard
On his day the Belgian is one of the most devastating attacking midfielders in the division, with his blend of pace, trickery and vision making him a real handful for opposition.
Although his form in the early days of this term was not up to his usual high standards, the former Lille winger has shown recently just what he is capable of, with plenty of assists and goals.
Despite extreme competition for places in the Chelsea forward line, Hazard seems guaranteed a place in the starting XI when available, and will play a major role in the side’s chances this term.
Ramires
Something of an unsung hero, Ramires puts in the effort, hard work and energy that makes a potentially unbalanced Chelsea midfield tick.
The Brazilian has played in the centre of the park for the majority of the campaign, and his work rate makes up for the lack of a top-quality enforcer in the heart of the side’s midfield.
With the invention to create things from deep, the industry to break up opposition possession and an eye for goal, the former Benfica man is a key player for the Blues.
Oscar
To play ahead of the likes of Willian and Juan Mata shows the supreme quality of Oscar, who is Mourinho’s first-choice playmaker.
The South American schemer has the creativity and guile to unlock almost any defence in Europe, and his ability to bring others into the game make the Stamford Bridge club one of the most clinical attacking sides in the country.
With Oscar also getting amongst the goals this season, a Premier League winning campaign could well be on the cards for the playmaker before he heads home to star for Brazil in the World Cup next summer.
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