Chelsea

With a new manager and plenty of fresh faces expected to roll into Stamford Bridge in the coming weeks, everyone concerned with this club has high hopes of another Premier League success. At the very least. Andre Villas Boas will have his work cut out though, fail to win a thing and just ask predecessor Carlo Ancelotti how that gruesome axe feels when it's horrendously wielded by Roman Abramovich. Chelsea will be hoping to start where they left off, with a tremendous finish to the season bringing them surging into second place.

Goalkeeper

Everyone knows who the number one is here, and next season will be no different. Petr Cech will keep his place between the sticks, hoping to put what have been increasingly frequent mistakes, by his standards, over the last few seasons to one side. New signing Thibaud Courtois has arrived and departed on loan already, so Ross Turnbull, remember him, will continue with deputy duties.

Defence

Typically very strong, and this season should be no different. With John Terry, Branislav Ivanovic and Alex they possess three big intimidating centre half's, which also couples as a terrific weapon at set pieces. New boy David Luiz, despite occasional erratic behaviour on the pitch, has already endeared himself to the fans and looks a great buy. With Ashley Cole and Jose Bosingwa they also have attacking wing backs, who can track back and forth up the touch line all day long.

Midfield

After a blistering start last season, the middle of the park seemed to go a bit stale. Frank Lampard failed to hit his trademark thunderbolts as often as usual, while his passing occasional went astray too. Ramires failed to live up to his fee, while some steel was lost, and will continue to be, due to Michael Essien's injury problems. Villas Boas could have a little work to do here, although the return of Yossi Benayoun will add much needed creativity.

Forwards

The debate continue to rage about Chelsea's front line, can a partnership be formed, who needs to leave and will they sign any one else. Mr Abramovich is certain to want a return on his £50m investment of Fernando Torres, and it is widely known he prefers a lone striker role. But with Didier Drogba, Nicolas Anelka, Saloman Kalou and the returning Daniel Sturridge to please is that possible? Well with support strikers it could certainly work, but putting a partner with the Spaniard up top would not.

Manager

Despite being just 33 years of age, Villas Boas already has a healthy reputation around Europe. Hence the reporter £13+ paid to secure his services from FC Porto, the highest ever for a manager. In his one season in charge of the Portuguesse giants he won four trophies, in the form of Supercup, Primeira Liga, Portuguesse Cup and Europa League (becoming the youngest manager to win a European competition). There is no reason he shouldn't succeed in London, but if he doesn't it could prove a very costly gamble.

Areas to Strengthen

At the back they remain as solid as ever, but it is at the other end where the problems could lie. The striker problem needs to be sorted whether that is with departures and arrivals, although there's no reason it can't be sorted internally. In Midfield a replacement for Essien needs to found, as it seems even if he does return he won't be at his best, injuries take their toll, or he won't return for too long. A bit more of a creative edge could also be sought.

Expectations

Abramovich covets the one trophy that has so far eluded him, and that is of course The Champions League. Many a manager have been sacked for failed to secure it, Avram Grant even went despite losing in the final...Due to a slip from Terry. A decent effort in that will need to be had, but that wont be enough. A Premier League title, or push for it, and domestic cup honours will also be sought.

Odds

11/4 (Sky Bet)

Players In

Thibaud Courtois £5m (Genk) Lucas Piazon £5+extras (Sao Paulo - will join in January) Oriol Romeu £4.5m (Chelsea) Romelu Lukaku £18m (Anderlecht) Raul Meireles £12m (Liverpool) Juan Mata £23.5m (Valencia)

Players Out

Michael Mancienne, Gokhan Tore, Slobodan Rajkovic and Jacopo Sala undisclosed (Hamburg) Jack Cork £750,000 (Southampton) Yuri Zhirkov undisclosed (Anzhi Makhachkala) Danny Philliskirk free (Sheffield United) Jan Sebek, Bobby Devyne, Anton Rodgers, Ben Sampayo, Carl Magnay, Michael Woods, Sam Hutchinson (all realeased) Fabio Borini free (Parma) Sam Walker loan (Northampton Town) Jeffrey Bruma Loan (Hamburg) Thibaud Courtois Loan (Atletico Madrid) Tomas Kalas loan (Vitesse Arnhem) Ben Gordon loan (Peterborough United) Ulises Davila loan (Vitesse Arnhem) Patrick van Aanholt loan (Wigan Athletic) Gael Kakuta loan (Bolton Wanderers) Yossi Benayoun loan (Arsenal)

United victory could have huge consequences

Yesterday's victory for Manchester United over Chelsea could have a big rippling effect on both sides. The Londoners must now be resigned to a season without a single trophy making it's way into the Stamford Bridge cabinet. A scenario that over the last few weeks we have learned won't please big spending owner Roman Abramovich one bit. Carlo Ancelotti could be on his last legs, despite last seasons double, and a summer of huge spending could be on the cards. Despite January's £70m+ spree.

In the northwest however, Manchester United are on the verge of greatness. Barring a huge collapse Sir Alex Ferguson has achieved his goal with a 19th league title, knocking neighbours and rivals Liverpool off that perch. Something Red Devils fans were ecstatic about as the exited Old Trafford following that 2-1 win.

Despite this massive achievement though, the biggest test is still to come. On Saturday May 28th at Wembley they will come up against the side thought to be the best in the world, Barcelona. A team who are just one point away from securing another league title themselves, and a team for whom Lionel Messi hasn't stopped scoring all season long. Pep Guardiola has led the praise for the soon to be English Champions, but knows he faces one hell of a challenge. If they go into the game fearing the Spaniards United will be obliterated, however if they take the game to them and give no space a double can certainly be achieved.

And after becoming the side to win England's top flight the most times what could be next record for Fergie to try and topple. Well adding a fourth European cup would put them one behind Liverpool's record haul. Now that would rub salt into the wounds and would delight Fergie no end. I certainly wouldn't bet against it.

Transfer flops: Juan Sebastian Veron

In the first of our 'transfer flops' section, we have started big with Manchester United's near £30m, then record signing, of the Argentina midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron.

It may seem a tad over the top, for someone who was selected by Pele in his list of 125 greatest living footballer back in 2004.

But for anyone who can remember his torrid time in England will have no doubts about his inclusion in this one.

During his time at Lazio, Veron was part of a midfielder full of flair and where he was covered by defensive midfielders to allow him to stick to going forward.

However he had a big shock when Sir Alex Ferguson splashed out to take him to Old Trafford.

The Premier League didn't allow the same time on the ball of Serie A, plus Veron himself was also expected to put in a tackle or two himself.

Injuries and poor performances took their toll, with just seven goals in 51 games over two seasons.

And despite Fergie's insistence that he was a great player it was clear his time the North West of England would soon be at an end.

Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of the Veron saga, was the fact Chelsea paid £15m to take him to Stamford Bridge to start the Roman Abramovich spending spree.

Claudio Ranieri is understood to have been key in securing a player who wanted to stay and prove a point with the Red Devils.

Despite getting off to a terrific start at Chelsea, scoring on his debut at Anfield, his time in London was less fruitful than in Manchester.

After just one season where he only managed that one goal in 14 appearances, he was promptly loaned out to Inter Milan and then Estudiantes.

Upon returning to Argentina Veron has shown the form which made the world sit up and take note before his time in England.

He has since been voted best player in the league and in South America, and also holds the captaincy.

Despite this though, on these shores and in many areas worldwide Veron will always be remembered as one of the most expensive transfer flops.