• More: Richard Jolly's predictions | Fixtures in UAE time
The National's sports team is counting down the days until defending champions Leicester City take on newly promoted Hull City in the opening fixture of the 2016/17 English Premier League season by looking at one team a day. Today, Chelsea.
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A new manager, two signature signings, renewed optimism after a pitiful defence of their Premier League title in 2015/16, but Chelsea’s ambitions this season seem to rest entirely on whether Eden Hazard can be the tour de force he was in the 2014/15 championship season.
The Belgian winger came alive for the final two games of last season, delivered arguably the best individual performance of Euro 2016 in the 3-0 win against Hungary, but failed to make any sort of mark as they crashed out to Wales at the quarter-finals.
Can Hazard elevate himself to the levels of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi?
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Previously
• Hull City: Promoted club had unstable summer
• Middlesbrough: Hopes lie largely in Spaniards
• Burnley: Third time the charm?
• Sunderland: Moyes the make or break factor in survival hopes
• Bournemouth: Well placed to avoid 'second season syndrome'
• Crystal Palace: Time to deliver on all that talent
• West Bromwich Albion: Another season of mid-table mediocrity
• Watford: Early fixtures will set the tone – for better or worse
• Swansea City: Swans need a striker, and stability
• Everton: In good hands with Koeman
Still to come
• Tomorrow: Stoke City
• Friday, Aug 5: Liverpool
• Saturday, Aug 6: West Ham United
• Sunday, Aug 7: Southampton
• Monday, Aug 8: Manchester United
• Tuesday, Aug 9: Manchester City
• Wednesday, Aug 10: Tottenham
• Thursday, Aug 11: Arsenal
• Friday, Aug 12: Leicester City
• Saturday, Aug 13: Premier League season begins
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