4-2-3-1

This formation - favored by The Special One - is the one we'll likely see at the beginning of the season for The Blues. He has used it in much of last season and he's known to have used it with previous clubs such as Inter, Real Madrid, and his first spell with Chelsea.

Before I begin to dissect who will fill the ten positions available to the manager, I'm going to try to anticipate who will start as the gatekeeper, in other words, the goalie.

Cech or Courtois? To us it represents a problem, a headache. According to Mourinho, it's a good problem. A good headache. He wants everyone at his club to fight for their places, even his already legendary goalkeeper Petr Cech. The challenger to the throne, according to Mourinho also, is the best young goalkeeper at the moment. No one can argue with that.

Thibaut Courtois has cemented his place at the world stage with world class saves, rescuing his previous club Atletico Madrid on numerous occasions, guiding them to European and Spanish success in three glorious years at the Vicente Calderon. He will pose a serious threat to the Czech's throne.

Cech has the opportunity to break David James' record of clean sheets in the Premier League. Cech has 161, the record is 170. For this reason, I would like to see Cech start the opener at Burnley and every other game in the Premier League, unless he gets injured or suspended.

Courtois can start the cup competitions, i.e. FA Cup, Capital One Cup, and possibly Champions League. Mourinho can learn from his successor at Real, Carlo Ancelotti, of his handling of the Casillas-Diego Lopez situation. It contributed to them lifting the Spanish Cup and conquering Europe for the 10th time. Chelsea fans (myself included) will take that any day of the year. Will cocky Mourinho implement that strategy? We'll know the answer in the next few weeks.

As for the defensive back four, leader John Terry is expected to be paired with his fellow Englishman Gary Cahill. On the left side new signing Felipe Luis is the first choice to fill that position, while the right one remains to be filled by either Branislav Ivanovic or Cesar Azpilicueta. I'm guessing Jose will start Ivanovic, because in Luis he has an attack-minded full-back, and I don't think he wants that to become two. It will be a tough away game at Turf Moor, he needs stability at the back to insure the basics are taken care of before going on adventurous attacks on the opposition.

The midfield five are going to line-up as two in front of the defence in the shape of Matic and - hopefully - Fabregas, two wingers represented by - if fit - Eden Hazard and Willian, and a playmaker behind the lone striker, with Brazilian Oscar expected to fill that position (also if fit).

The striker position is a no-brainer as Diego Costa is expected to speer-head The Blues' attack.

Jose Mourinho has a strong, verstaile squad at his disposal. It will be an exciting campaign with the return of the most beloved player in Chelsea's history, Didier Drogba, at the helm. Hopefully we will be celebrating come season end.

-------------------------------------------- Cech ----------------------------------------

Ivanovic ---------------- Cahill -----------------Terry ------------------- Luis

------------------------ Fabregas --------------------- Matic -----------------------

Willian ------------------------------- Oscar ---------------------------- Hazard

--------------------------------------- Diego Costa -------------------------------------


Subs: Courtois, Zouma, Azpilicueta, Ramires, Salah, Torres, Drogba.