Food For Thought: Why Chelsea Squad Depth Could Win Them the Title This Season

Chelsea took their summer spending beyond the £100 million mark after bringing in David Luiz and Marcos Alonso on the final day of the transfer window. Along with summer signings N’Golo Kante and Michy Batshuayi, it seems that manager, Antonio Conte, has been able to strengthen all the areas of the pitch quite significantly in this summer. After finishing in a miserable 10^th place last season, Chelsea’s squad was not just in need of some bolstering, but the squad also required some heavy competition and this has just been provided with these four signings.

The title will be the main aim for Chelsea along with a return to the Champions League next season. It is not often that a big club like Chelsea misses out on both forms of European football – Champions League and Europa League. The latter could be a blessing in disguise since the Europa League has often been a hindrance to clubs in this position. Due to the lack of both European competitions, Chelsea’s squad suddenly looks extremely strong and being able to go toe-to-toe with the likes of Manchester United or Manchester City.

After complaining about the lack of central defenders, the mere addition of David Luiz provides the team with adequate cover at the back considering that Kurt Zouma is likely to be available in the next few months. Chelsea almost have two players for every defensive position and this is more than adequate for a team that does not have European commitments. It is a similar story with the rest of the squad.

The blues struggled for goals when Diego Costa was out of form under José Mourinho last season. Michy Batshuayi has already shown that he has an eye for goal and he would be a capable replacement should Costa suffer an injury or undergo a bout of poor form. Chelsea appear the strongest in midfield even after allowing Juan Cuadrado to join Juventus on a three-year loan spell. Such is the strength of blues in this position that a player like Fabregas is unable to get into the starting line-up.

Perhaps, the only weakness in the Chelsea squad is that they still rely heavily upon Eden Hazard to create something. The Belgian has been in fine form this season, but the blues should have an alternative if he goes into slumber like last season.

On papers, Chelsea have the perfect squad and conditions required to go the distance in a league title race. It remains to be seen if they can capitalise on this situation.