Chelsea opened their 2014-15 Premier League campaign with a 3-1 over Burnley and gave fans plenty to shout about as the early signed are good for Jose Mourinho’s side.
Diego Costa, Andre Schurrle and Branislav Ivanovic were on the scoresheet as the Blues came back from behind to claim all three points against the Clarets, but it was Cesc Fabregas who stole the show.
The Spanish international slotted in as if he’d been playing for the West London club for years and was pulling the strings in midfield, deservedly winning the man-of-the-match award. Fabregas registered two assists during the match and was influential for the away side all night.
Mourinho ought to be pleased with the 27-year-old as he offers Chelsea something different and his pass for Schurrle’s goal was a thing of beauty, perfectly placed for the oncoming German to run onto. Fabregas’ delivery from set-pieces is also something that Chelsea have been missing out on in recent season – something they should be utilising with the height and strength within the squad.
He wasn’t the only positive on the night as Costa opened his account and was a little unfortunate to not win a penalty, let alone being booked for diving and Didier Drogba made a popular cameo appearance. Schurrle will also have been pleased to be on the score-sheet and looks to have become more confident since a few choice performances for Germany at the World Cup.
The XI started the game on Monday night probably represent the strongest at Mourinho’s disposal, although Oscar has a lot to prove and Mourinho may mull over whether or not he’d require another defender. Gary Cahill enjoyed a good partnership with John Terry last season but is lacking technically, which is okay when you’re defending deep but not so much when you’re building and starting attacks from back-to-front.
All in all, plenty of positives signs for Chelsea so far.
