You Can All Breathe A Sigh Of Relief

By: Rob | August 9th, 2009

Because we’re back. Today is the day of the Community Shield, and thus, the season is finally back upon us. Its been a fascinating summer in some ways – the Real Madrid revolution weakening the top of the Premier League, Sven going to Notts County, and all the signings and goings on at Man City – but without a summer tournament, I’ve been missing the football even more than usual.

So today, Chelsea take on Man United in the seasons curtain raiser, and I, as I trust you, are really looking forward to it. So herein lies a preview to that game, expect a proper season preview over the next week before the big kick off for real.

So here is our first chance – pre-season friendlies aside – to see Man United post-Ronaldo, and to see what Carlo plans to do to make a team out of the Chelsea side he has mostly inherited.

Both teams will probably be playing unfamiliar systems; Sir Alex has promised a different style of football now that he doesn’t have to accommodate C-Ron, while Carlo could come up with any new system to get his Chelsea reign underway. Traditionally he favours a Christmas Tree approach, which is something that genuinely could work with Chelsea.

Drogba can play up front as the lone striker, they have several attacking mids – Lampard, Deco, Ballack – to back him up, wide players in the shape of Zhirkov and Joe Cole, defensive mids, and a solid enough back line.

Man United meanwhile, will probably revert back to a 4-4-2 this season with any two of Owen, Rooney and Berbatov fighting for the two places up front.

The big question is whether United will have done enough in signing Michael Owen and Antonio Valencia to replace Ronaldo. My gut feeling is that even with those two in to Ronaldo’s one, they look weaker.

Chelsea meanwhile, are the only side out of the big four not to sell one of their most important players, which possibly makes them favourites if Ancelotti can work them in a system with plays to their strengths.

Either way, should be a fantastic start to a fascinating season.