With the start of the 2016/17 Premier League season less than two weeks away, Premier League correspondent Richard Jolly provides his previews for each club. Here he looks at Chelsea.
• More: See all of Richard's previews
Things can only get better. After the worst title defence mounted by any Premier League champions, Antonio Conte can only take Chelsea in one direction. The question is how far, and how quickly.
It is safe to assume they will not finish 10th again, or that they will not spend Christmas worried about relegation.
It is also true that, until Leicester City last year, teams of the modern era do not go from mid-table to becoming champions in 12 months.
Yet Conte has a group that has proved it can win the title. He has the benefit of not competing in Europe, meaning he has more time to make his team formidably fit and to work on the tactical strategies that brought him so much praise at Euro 2016.
He may need comparatively few players and, as Chelsea have a huge squad, some could find themselves on the fast track to the exit. The Italian seems determined to play 4-4-2, with one new signing, Michy Batshuayi, in attack and another, N’Golo Kante, in the heart of the midfield.
Both point to an athletic approach. Still more rests on the attitude of last season’s underachievers. Play to their potential and they could be formidable again.
• The National's Premier League section: All the latest from the Premier League, including news, interviews, features, and much more
Key Man: Eden Hazard
The Hazard of 2014/15 was voted the best player in England. The Hazard of last season went almost the entire season without a league goal. Which will turn up this year?
Pivotal Signing: N’Golo Kante
The ball-winner supreme topped the division’s charts for interceptions and tackles last season. Chelsea must hope his energy proves contagious and that he spurs others into action.
Point to Prove: Diego Costa
Atletico Madrid have spent the summer courting their former striker. Costa spent too much of last season embroiled in rows and serving suspensions and too little of it focused on scoring goals.
Crucial Factor: The change of tactics
Chelsea have rarely operated with two out-and-out strikers in attack since Claudio Ranieri’s day. Leicester won the league last season playing 4-4-2, but only after it had gone out of fashion.
Predicted finish: 2nd
Follow us on Twitter @NatSportUAE
Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/TheNationalSport
