1. Newly Strengthened Chelsea Midfield
Chelsea have just strengthened their midfield by splashing out £21 million on former youth teamer Nemanja Matic. Matic’s arrival means that Chelsea have plugged the only visible gap they had in an otherwise outstanding midfield- they lacked a top-class defensive midfielder. With Matic’s arrival, and his physical presence and tough tackling in midfield, it’ll be difficult for opposition teams to exploit what had at times proved to be a soft underbelly for Chelsea this season.
It’s hard to imagine that a player of Juan Mata’s caliber could have to sit out of the team, but that is what is happening at present, such has been the form of unstoppable attacking midfield duo Eden Hazard and Oscar, both of whom have been scoring regularly. Ramires too has been impressive in a dynamic, box-to-box role, along with the experience of Frank Lampard. It’s hard to see United being able to cope with a midfield of this quality, trickery and movement.