Just what will Chelsea achieve this season?

Once upon a time, Chelsea had one of – if not the strongest squad in Europe – at the height of their success under Mourinho, the Chelsea team would strike fear into even the hearts of Barcelona, let alone Manchester United. Cech, Terry, Makelele, Lampard, Essien, Drogba, Gudjohnsen and the flying wings of Duff and Robben were the envy of all sides who played, and lost against them. Highlights of a 4-2 victory against Barca at the bridge and two premier league titles attested to how strong Chelsea were, not just in one position, but throughout the team – including the backroom staff.

Roll on a few seasons since the departure of the Special One, and Chelsea have had more managers than Rio has made twitter updates, and have an aging and considerably weaker squad to boot. Where United have strengthened, Chelsea have not. Where City have emerged as a power, Chelsea have rested on their laurels, winning approximately nothing last season. All footballing fans understand that you cannot win every trophy, every season, and last season could be just put down to a blip.

Ancelotti’s final season at the bridge was filled with issues, much like Mourinho before him, with the Torres arrival echoing that of Shevchenko’s some years before, and the owners persistent wish that both underperforming strikers should be played.  Add to that injuries to key players and a general lull in the squad, it seems hard to solely blame the manager for the problems. But that is the way at Chelsea these days – if it is not going right, sack the manager.

So amiable Carlo was send on his way after a couple of drinks down the local with the likes of Terry and Lamps, and in comes AVB with nearly – but not quite – as impressive resume as another young manager who hailed from Portugal did a few seasons previously. But can AVB bring back the glory days to Chelsea? And were the problems that cost Carlo his job even his in the first place?

That remains to be seen, and Chelsea will be there, or there about, but second is first looser, and Abramovich will want nothing less than trophy’s from AVB. Time is not something afforded to Chelsea managers, and for one that has never managed in Europe’s premier competition –and the Holy Grail if you’re associated with Chelsea – that is somewhat of a concern. AVB is the defending Europa League winning manager, and has been on the books as backroom staff at both Chelsea and Inter when they were playing, and winning, at the highest level, so does have some experience of that.

No notable signings have been made by Chelsea, and one would hope that AVB knows or expects something that the general public do not. Much has been made about the loss of key players during the African Nations, and the fact that formerly key midfielder and 20 goals a season man Lampard only managed 11 last season, and is again a year older – although according to captain John Terry not to be written off.

For Chelsea, it seems vital that £50 million man Torres comes good, especially over the key period during Christmas and then the African nations when Chelsea saviour on so many occasions Drogba will be absent. Should this be the case, and Torres be a revelation and Chelsea keep their key players fit and on form, then they should be contesting all major competitions to the latter stages, but a couple of injuries here and there and a miss-firing strike force could mean whispers of discontent, and how long there or there abouts is going to be good enough for Abramovich is anyone’s guess.

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Or have a look at the ten strikers that we think will lead the race for the Golden Boot next season