The season begins tomorrow. Chelsea will play their first pre-season game against Crystal Palace tomorrow. We are not going to the US this time for the pre-season. This game would be at Selhurst Park, the home of Crystal Palace, right here in London. It’s good that the players don’t have to make long travels with longer jet-lags just for the pre-season, after a physically and mentally tiring world cup.

The new away kit has now been released while the launch would be in August. When I first saw this black away kit, I was excited because I like these kind of black kits. Our ‘unlucky’ away kit of the last season was more of a black and blue kit. This new kit is a full black kit with stuff like adidas three stripes, kit name and number in orange. When I saw this kit in action, in the kit release event on Chelsea TV, I realised that the kit looks lighter on the torso. When players are on the move, the front side doesn’t look black at all, because it isn’t. All said, this kit looks very good.

The big news about tomorrow’s match is the return of the bison. I know this is a cliche but I have to say it – Essien’s return is like a new signing for Chelsea. Our best period of the last season was when Essien started in our midfield. If he can start about 30 matches in the premier league this season, we should fly high. I’m sure Carlo would play almost all the players that are available. We won’t get to see Yossi playing for Chelsea yet as he won’t be available due to injury. This match would be telecast live on Chelsea TV. I have access only to the Chelsea TV online. I might watch this match if the internet streaming is decent. In any case, I’d watch the highlights and share my thoughts with you all.

In transfer news, there’s still nothing concrete for Chelsea. If anything, Hodgson confirms that Torres is not leaving, after his face-to-face meeting with El Nino in Spain. Papers report that Chelsea are offering £30m for Torres. It’s true that Liverpool need the cash but getting back to champions league would be the top priority for them. With Man City strengthening so much, Liverpool will have to be really worried. So, unless Torres wants out, it’s hard to see him in a Chelsea shirt this season. Despite his desire to play in the champions league, Torres does seem to love playing for Liverpool. But still, we are yet to hear from Torres on his ideas about his future.

Meanwhile, Man City are on a spree and that’s not a surprise. They have bought some really good players and are looking to buy some more. Look at their purchases so far – Yaya Toure, David Silva and Jerome Boateng – these are fantastic buys for their positions on the pitch. They are building a truly formidable squad. We still need to see how these players play together, how well they gel with each other, how the egos can be kept under check and how much ‘devotion’ they would have to their club.

Chelsea certainly has a vision and strategy. Our transfers over the last 5 seasons have shown that. Carlo seems to be keen to use the youth players that we have and he is also interested in buying players for the future than for just this season. More than ever before, I have full faith in this Chelsea management which comprises of various people from Ancelotti to Gourlay to Abramovich himself. Something tells me that we would be the European champions this season.

Let’s hope we have a great season ahead. All the very best! I’ll leave you with this great picture to kick start this football season! This is Nicolas Anelka. When has the world seen this man like this? My caption to this picture is ‘The Spirit of Chelsea’. What you see here is success + style. Let’s keep the blue flag flying high!