After selling Demba Ba to Besiktas, allowing Fernando Torres to move on a two season loan deal to AC Milan and then releasing Samuel Eto’o and Frank Lampard, it was indicative of the confidence of Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho that he reckoned that their departure would not weaken the attacking threat of his team. A 3-1 win in their opening Premier League fixture followed by a 2-0 home victory and then the 6-3 defeat of Everton are early indications that his judgement may be correct.
In seeking replacements for his attack, the signing of former Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa has already proved to be a masterstroke by Mourinho and a tribute to his managerial methods by the way in which Costa has settled into Premier League football. Four goals in three matches are testament to his goal prowess but his overall play has also been a bonus for the Chelsea team.
Adding to the equation in the Chelsea attack is the return of former hero Didier Drogba who will not be used in the same intensity as during his previous spell at the club but his mere presence on the pitch will be a useful asset during a long campaign for the club.
Mourinho has also completed the signing of Frenchman Loic Remy from QPR after triggering a £10.5 million release clause in his contract and apparently ignoring the results from his failed medical at Liverpool. Remy proved at Newcastle last season that he has an eye for a goal and is also a mobile forward who has shown pace both in attack and on the wing. He is also quite adept in the air.
It is expected that Mourinho will rotate his strikers with Costa being the player most likely to share the greater burden but the attack will also be supplemented by Cesc Fabregas who has been purchased to replace the ageing Lampard. The Spaniard netted 28 league goals in his three season spell at Barcelona and has previous experience of Premier League football at Arsenal.
Jose Mourino will also be able to rely on rely on several other members of his squad to contribute to the goal tally with Andre Schurrle and Eden Hazard most expected to share in that task. Yet while his team has fired 11 league goals in three league matches and has won each game by at least a two goal margin, Mourinho was still bemoaning the apparent defensive flaws on Saturday.
The defence may have been more generous at the weekend during the contest with Everton, but Chelsea lead the Premier League on goal difference after three completed fixtures and it may be case that they will continue to score more goals than their opponents as the season progresses.
Everton might not be the only victims of the new Chelsea attack and as several title contenders have stuttered in the early skirmishes, Mourinho must be secretly relishing the prospect of another Premier League title.
