Goal.com Chelsea Fanview: 'Our season begins and ends at Wembley Stadium as we look to become England's first treble winners since Manchester United in 1999'

Fans share their thoughts for the season ahead...

27 Jul 2010 07:57:00

More On :  Chelsea FC
CHELSEA
 FAN: Michael Neat
Website: New York Blues

The target: Major silverware

After the winning the Double, winning the Treble is the next move forward. The Premier League title remains paramount but owner Roman Abramovich also wants the Champions League. Ancelotti must navigate through the European minefield and bring home the trophy with big ears.

My thoughts on the gaffer...

What can you say about a man who won the Double in his first season at Chelsea? He wasn't given the recognition he deserved by the Football Association but pulled Chelsea together late in the season and unleashed Frank Lampard for the final drive to win the league and FA Cup.

Sadly, Jose Mourinho out-thought the Italian to knock us out of the Champions League and Ancelotti needs to learn from that lesson and be ready to add width to the Chelsea attack when needed. He has retained the bulk of his squad and has some real talent coming up from the academy to strengthen the squad in what is looking to be Chelsea's greatest season in their history.

Our key man this season


Super Frank Lampard. We need yet another 20-plus goals season from our consummate midfielder. Michael Essien will take away some of the pressure but Chelsea need Lampard to be the main man in the middle spraying passes and scoring goals.

Should Ancelotti unleash him from the very beginning of the season it should be Frank's best ever campaign.

 

Youngster to watch

Gael Kakuta has become a force for France's under-19s and should be ready to force his way into the Chelsea squad. The player has all of the needed skills to progress to the next level and his arrival will be fun as he shows maturity and incredible skill.

One for the future is Rohan Ince. This thoroughbred is seemingly the second coming of Marcel Desailly although his arrival is likely a season away.

A player who must deliver

John Obi Mikel is the man who must prove his maturity if he's to play a major role this season.

The lad has the knowledge and skill to become an incredible defensive midfielder for Chelsea but he must show that he has the consistency and maturity to compete for the position Claude Makelele made famous.


Our Achilles' heel


We have no back-up for the often injured Petr Cech. Ross Turnbull has been horrendous and Henrique Hilario is somewhat old and uninspiring.

Last season's home match with Manchester City had most Chelsea fans hoping Turnbull can grow in confidence and be the man we envisioned when he was signed.

Our youth keepers have a brilliant chance to move up and stake a claim in the Chelsea squad but do they have the talent? 

Fixture I am looking forward to the most...

Manchester City versus Chelsea on September 25. This is potentially the match where we prove City to be imposters for the title as we move fast out of the blocks to keep our hand on it. Ancelotti has figured out how to beat the 'Big Four' and must learn to knock City on their collective behinds.

Our toughest opponents will be...

Manchester City. No offence to Manchester United but they have basically become a one-man team while City have hired a host of mercenaries who should be able to fit in by now. Tottenham Hotspur could also prove to be tough should they become consistent.

Player we love to hate

Steven Gerrard. This overrated player scored a miserly nine league goals last season and the comparisons to Lampard are far too old. He should give up the England armband as he is most definitely not worthy of the captaincy and should stop playing the 'me' game.

He was a huge reason England were rubbish in South Africa as he failed to play with Ashley Cole on the left and his passes were consistently to the opposition. He should go to Real Madrid or anywhere else but he should leave the British Isles.

My first choice XI

blah blah
VAN DER SAR

SAGNA CAHILL VIDIC
 COLE

NANI NASRI WILSHERE

NANI NASRI WILSHERE

My verdict

Chelsea's season begins and ends at Wembley Stadium as we look to become England's first treble winners since Manchester United in 1999.

Ancelotti has the players to destroy the opposition but needs internal strength and confidence to unleash that power.

The incredible Chelsea record of 103 Premier League goals could be beaten after just 12 months.
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Michael Neat

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