Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho (right) has a heated exchange with Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger on the touchline at Stamford Bridge.
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Fiorentina beat Chelsea 1-0 in the final match of the global Champions Cup competition after a goal from Gonzalo Rodriguez. His movement, his strength, his finishing’s been different class. He was a great player but how good is he now after his injuries?
Neither Falcao nor Remy have looked particularly sharp during the pre-season, but the Frenchman did his job when called upon in the 2014-15 campaign. “But I’ve worked to prevent it occurring”.
Costa struggled with a recurring hamstring problem during his first season at Chelsea and the issue could force him to miss the weekend’s clash with Swansea.
It’s likely to be even tighter at the foot of the league, with newly promoted Bournemouth, Watford and Norwich battling it out with last season’s strugglers. Not bad for a 34-year-old center back who lost his guaranteed starting place before Mourinho returned to take charge in 2013. “That’s our weakness”.
That was the moment Mourinho and Wenger’s long-running feud turned physical and the pair did not shake hands after last Sunday’s Community Shield, when the Frenchman claimed a first win over the Portuguese at the 14th attempt.
Similarly, the loss of Petr Cech has been covered up by the arrival of Asmir Begovic from Stoke City.
In the last six meetings between the sides, Chelsea have won five times while Swansea have failed to register three points.
The winger, though, pays the price for his trickery on the pitch – being the most fouled player in the league. I also think they will be better than they were when Diego Costa was injured a lot, and Cesc Fabregas did not play his best football from February onwards.
Chelsea kick off their Premier League title defence on Saturday, with the early evening visit of Swansea City.
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But Scudamore is not concerned, insisting no tradition show of sportsmanship is better for the league than an unauthentic show of respect, and is unwilling to wade into the debate surrounding the pair – or any managers. Mourinho was ready to take the gamble on the Colombian striker, who may not serve as the first choice at Chelsea, but will definitely add depth to the side.
