Chelsea Season Preview: Only the title will do in Mourinho's second stint back at the Bridge

Cesc Fabregas is making his Premier League return with Chelsea

Jose Mourinho's first term back at Chelsea was underwhelming. Michael Lintorn studies whether the second will be better...

Last season

Chelsea's first campaign back under the guidance of Jose Mourinho was a strangely un-Mourinho-esque effort, with masterful moments like home-and-away triumphs over Man City and Liverpool interspersed with flop defeats to Newcastle, Stoke, Aston Villa, Crystal Palace and Sunderland.

Even though Mourinho was careful to portray it as a transitional season and his side as definitely-not-title-contenders, third place was fairly uninspiring given Man United and Tottenham's struggles and that the points requirement to be champions was the second lowest it has been in 11 years.

There was no compensatory cup joy. They lost the UEFA Super Cup to Bayern Munich on penalties, exited the FA Cup (Man City) and Capital One Cup (Sunderland) in the fifth round and fell to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League semi-finals.

Ins and outs

This appears to have been a superb window for Chelsea, who recruited two protagonists of Atletico Madrid's La Liga win in left back Filipe Luis and striker Diego Costa, surprisingly uncoveted Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas and club legend Didier Drogba on a free transfer. Meanwhile, Croatian teenager Mario Pasalic was signed from Hajduk Split and swiftly loaned to Elche.

It isn't just the buys that rank this as one of the most successful summers under Roman Abramovich, but the fact that they have made a profit by selling several players who Mourinho wasn't too keen on. David Luiz joined Paris St-Germain for between 40-50 million, Romelu Lukaku made his Everton switch permanent for 28 million and Demba Ba (Besiktas) and Patrick van Aanholt (Sunderland) left.

The manager

Mourinho may be the most feted manager in Chelsea history, yet after being given the chance to mould this squad to his preferences, he won't be immune to criticism if the Blues are as inconsistent or error-prone as last season. However, his improved relationship with Abramovich sees it rated a lengthy 21.020/1 that he will add to his 2007/08 sack race "honour".

Though there was still the occasional glimpse of Mourinho's tactical ingenuity and meticulous planning in 2013/14, particularly the victories at the Etihad Stadium and Anfield, two years without a trophy have caused the Special One's sparkle to wear a little bit. His press shtick is a tad more tiresome and he isn't quite as revered, but a silverware top-up will rapidly remedy that.

Expectations

That Chelsea have emerged as 3.02/1 Premier League favourites despite finishing third last term says it all: they have to win the title (or alternatively the Champions League) to be fully satisfied with their 2014/15 work.

Mourinho has been allowed to shift numerous potential protagonists such as Kevin de Bruyne, Juan Mata, Luiz and Lukaku and replace them with players that he considers a better Stamford Bridge fit; now he needs to have those bold calls vindicated.

Best Bet

Man City to finish above Chelsea @ 2.021/1 - The Blues were four points short of Man City in 2013/14 as they trailed them for the third successive season, having only bettered them on goal difference the time before that. Chelsea's transfer business was more eye-catching, yet the champions have bought well too and in a less revolutionary fashion, fine-tuning a proven format rather than overhauling.

Value Bet

Cesc Fabregas to be one of the top four goalscorers @ 6.411/2 - The former Arsenal captain is a speedy settler judging by the four goals that he fired in his first four La Liga appearances for Barcelona post-2011 move, while he scored 15 Premier League goals in his penultimate campaign at the Emirates.