Three Things We Learnt From Chelsea’s Opening Match Against Burnley

Title favourites Chelsea outclassed their newly promoted opponents Burnley as they came from behind to win 1-3 at Turf Moor. The difference in quality was obvious as Chelsea dominated the match against a team that was assembled using only about £5m. Here are three things we learnt.

1. Fabregas is the key to unlock tight defenses

Last year, Chelsea suffered against the lesser teams who sat off deep in their own half and stopped the attacks. Chelsea didn’t have a natural playmaker who could operate from midfield. Mata was an advanced playmaker and barely offered anything in defence, resulting in his sale. Cesc seems to have exactly those qualities which Mourinho wants in the heart of the midfield. His passing and movement along with the technical abilities he possesses, the acres of space that central midfielders get against lesser teams is now put to great use.

Remember Fabregas’ time at Arsenal? His fantastic through balls and lofted balls, which almost always finds the strikers? Expect to re-live those midfield genius from the Spaniard and the presence of a strong goal machine upfront, will only mean that Fabregas will be the key man for the Blues.

2. The presence of Diego Costa helps Hazard as well.

Hazard didn’t contribute directly to a goal but was involved in the build ups. There seems to be an immediate release of pressure on Eden Hazard as he finds it easier to traverse through defences when Costa keeps the back four more occupied. That would be very handy to Chelsea to get the best out of Hazard. Hazard, who led the charts for chances created across European leagues had only 7 assists to his name. Even this would improve when Costa would finish chances.

Last season, the presence of Eto’o and Torres in front of him meant that he would have to create and score most of the chances and would be constantly marked by the opposition defenders. But this time around, Costa will share the burden allowing the Belgian to show is natural talent without having to worry about scoring the winning goal.

3. Schürrle will be a very key player for the Blues.

Schürrle loves to make runs in behind the defence and is clinical in front of goal, especially from the wide areas from where he drifts in. Fabregas showed that he can spot a player’s run in a matter of milliseconds even so when he changed his mind from shooting to assisting via a wonderfully chipped through ball. Schürrle’s runs can be very dangerous and productive as the German world cup winner has plenty of end product to his credit, especially when someone like Cesc Fabregas is supplying him.