It will be paupers versus princes when Burnley welcome Chelsea at Turf Moor this evening. The Clarets’ summer signings, Michael Kightly, Matt Gilks, Marvin Sordell, Steven Reid, Lukas Jutkiewicz and Steven Ward, had a combined total cost of £3.5 million pounds. Their opponents, on the other hand, spent a staggering £82m on just Cesc Fabregas, Diego Costa and Filipe Luis this summer.
Burnley will always have hope, though. They have recently been punching above their weight under financially astute manager Sean Dyche. They surprised many in the Championship last season by earning automatic qualification despite coming from a dispiriting summer. Just as the season began they lost Charlie Austin to Queens Park Rangers, they had a very thin squad and were not even in the top five of the favourites for promotion.
Chelsea are a hungry side after their first trophyless season under Jose Mourinho. They are hot favourites to win the Premier League title this season after a smooth summer in the transfer market.
The success that the Blues have had during the window has Mourinho in a bullish mood as he publicly shifted from the “little horse” talk to one of a satisfied manager who is anticipating big things.
Even a bullish Mourinho has a conundrum that he seems hesitant to address. At least in public. He has two of the finest goalkeepers in the world in Thibaut Courtois and Petr Czech. Neither of these players would be happy to be second choice and neither should be, but the Special One has to come up with a special solution that involves a happy second choice keeper in his squad.
Burnley team news
Sam Vokes (anterior cruciate ligament rupture) and Cameron Dummigan (hip) will both be unavailable
Kieran Trippier is tipped to start at right-back ahead of Steven Reid
Chelsea team news
Ramires is suspended, while Didier Drogba is likely to miss out with ankle problem.
Summer signings Diego Costa, Cesc Fabregas and Filipe Luis are all expected to earn their Premier League debuts in this opening game.
Prediction
Dyche’s side is built on energy, focus and practical decisions so they will primarily be organised and difficult to break down. The Clarets will probably start in a 4-5-1 formation, which would allow them to flood the midfield with a solid five-man block.
Offensively, Jutkiewicz, one of the summer signings, is likely to be the lone striker with the talented England Under-21 international Danny Ings coming from midfield to support him in attacks. With Chelsea likely to have the lion’s share of ball possession, they will play with a high defensive line. Burnley could pinch something if they emphasise on quick attacks then try to isolate the aging John Terry.
Chelsea have recently indicated their intent to return to a 4-3-3 formation with a formidable central midfield trio of Nemanja Matic, Oscar and Fabregas.
The Blues will have enough quality to dominate the midfield battle and push their hosts back. With Eden Hazard and possibly Willian cutting in from the flanks to support Costa, Chelsea will test the Clarets from all angles.
Mourinho has a 100 per cent win record in all his opening games in England and barring a huge upset, his record will likely remain intact.
