The season begins tomorrow. What happened last weekend has nothing to do with the league table. Despite a 3-1 defeat in the hands of arch-rivals Man Utd, odds are in favour of Chelsea to retain the title. Most of the football pundits think that Chelsea would retain the title despite having an ageing squad with few additions to it. I too think Chelsea will win the title this season too. We still have about three weeks of transfer window left. If Chelsea can bring in one good defender, one striker, one goalkeeper – need not be stars – just good players, we’re certainly favourites.

Chelsea’s fortunes are fully dependant on two players – Didier Drogba and Petr Cech. Both are great players in their positions and it’s not easy to replace them. There’s no point in blaming their current second choices. We should have decent replacements in the same mould as these players. With Carvalho leaving for Real Madrid, we definitely need a proper defender. Alex is a good defender but he has no pace and I have by doubts about his mental and physical reflexes. Let me say it – John Terry has been waning. Yes, he still gives his best but that’s not good enough. What he lacks in tactical awareness he makes it up with his bravery and conviction.

Let’s give a big round of applause for Ricardo Carvalho. The man is finally leaving us after many seasons of fantastic service. I must say I feel very sad to see him leave. He was such a superb player for us in all these years. Many even say it is Carvalho who made Terry look better. While that’s very harsh on Terry, it’s certainly true that Carvalho was the clean-up man if things went wrong. He is technically better and was a born-centre back. He has played so many memorable matches for us. The long lasting moment that I’d have of Ricardo Carvalho is his goal at Stamford Bridge against Man Utd. That was the goal that sealed the match and the title in our favour in 05-06. That was Carvalho picking up the ball from a Man Utd corner, creating a counterattacking opportunity and coolly finishing it from left just outside the 6-yard box. That’s a finish top strikers would be proud of. And then he followed it up with this silly smoking celebration with Drogba. Lovely moments. Brilliant player. Thanks a lot, Riccy! May you have a great career ahead!

Back to the worries of Riccy-less defence at Chelsea. The centre back pairing of Alex and Terry would not make me very comfortable unless I can see Petr Cech in the goal. This being a slow centre back pair means we can’t really defend high up thereby leaving gaps and spaces between our defence and midfield. That’s a bad proposition particularly against teams with fast attackers. You might say Ivanovic is a good choice too. Very right. Ivanovic is best used as a right back. He’s got that slip-through dribble and a useful cross. If he is a centre back, you’re going to see neither. We do have some youngsters – a couple of teenage Dutch defenders in right-footed Jeffrey Bruma and left-footed Patrick van Aanholt. The Chelsea defence has not yet settled down and one more good signing would make everything all right. David Luiz?

Petr Cech is back in the starting eleven and so is Didier Drogba. Lampard seems to be doubtful to start while Essien will be raring to go. Carlo suggests that we’d play a 4-3-3 with Drogba flanked by Benayoun and Kalou. Malouda could be in the left midfield as Mikel and Essien playing in the centre and right midfield respectively. To be honest, I’m a bit worried by Ashley Cole. We all know he was a Real Madrid target. It would be hard for Ashley Cole to reject the opportunity of playing for the biggest club in the world and more importantly, joining Jose Mourinho. Carlo has since quashed these rumours but Ashley Cole has not yet spoken on this. I was expecting that his performance would speak but it didn’t. It’s not very often you’d see Ashley Cole so off colour as he was last weekend. Yuri Zhirkov better be ready. How often would you say this – Paulo Ferreira looks to be the best of our defenders. Well, that’s not meant to be an insult to Paulo. Honestly, he was warming the bench for many many months because he was not the best of the lost but credit to him – he has come out and proved with every opportunity, that he can still deliver at the big stages in football.

If you’re living in the UK, check out The Guardian paper on Monday. They’re giving away a bulk guide to the new football season. In their own words:

Don’t miss your indispensable, 84-page guide to the new football season, out on Monday 9 August. Featuring Kevin McCarra’s preview focusing on the big four; the influence of Inter, Barcelona and the World Cup on the Premier League; and Blackpool’s slim survival prospects. Missing it would be a mistake of Capello index proportions. There’s also the team-by-team guide, Barney Ronay’s ‘Rough Guide to Liverpool’ for Roy Hodgson, the original Roy of the Rovers illustrator, Paul Trevillion, and Harry Pearson’s tips for the Premier League’s tired superstars. And as if that wasn’t enough there’s breakdown of England’s Euro 2012 opponents, The Championship, League One, League Two and SPL previews.

I’m sure it’s useful.

Given the circumstances, it’s good that we are to play West Brom in the first match, at home. Being newly promoted and all, they would be really charged up for this match. A draw would be a great morale booster for West Brom. I don’t see any result other than a resounding win for Chelsea. With tougher early round ties for our rivals, it’s important that we seize the opportunity and put the pressure early on. You have a few cracking matches this weekend – Tottenham vs Man City and Liverpool vs Arsenal plus the matches involving the champions and the runners-up.

I’m predicting a victory for the home teams in all these matches. I’d be particularly happy with Man City and Arsenal get beaten. You know how much I despise all things Arsenal, so that one’s understandable. I want Man City to struggle because that would be fun, for all the money that has been spent. I want Man City to be another example of why money cannot win trophies. Chelsea spent money but it’s not just money that brought trophies. There was so much handwork by the manager, players and other staff day in and day out. Let’s see if Mancini can keep the squad happy and if they can play as a team with a common objective.

So there we go. Chelsea to win 3-0. Let’s kick off the season like how we finished the last season – in style!

P.S: The new third kit sucks!