Chelsea vs Hull City: Preview, Team News, Likely Line-Ups & Predicted Score

Jose Mourinho begins his second stint as Chelsea boss on Sunday as he welcomes newly-promoted Hull City to Stamford Bridge.

The self-proclaimed ‘Special One’ returns to west London having guided Chelsea to five major honours – including two Premier League titles – during his first spell in charge and he’ll be taking his side into the new season as one of the early contenders this time around.

Hull on the other hand will be happy to avoid relegation after sealing promotion back to the top flight last season. Manager Steve Bruce has plenty of experience in the Premier League and he’ll be hoping to get off to a positive start this weekend.

Team News

Frank Lampard came off the bench to take part for England against Scotland in midweek so is in contention to start on Sunday after recovering from an Achilles injury.

Juan Mata and David Luiz have both missed large parts of pre-season with injuries so are unlikely to be involved from the start against Hull. Andre Schurrle is pushing to make his competitive debut while fellow summer signings Mark Schwarzer and Marco van Ginkel are likely to have to make do with places on the bench.

Mourinho has a big call to make for who will lead the attack with Romelu Lukaku, Fernando Torres and Demba Ba all fighting it out.

Hull are expected to give debuts to a number of summer signings including Allan McGregor, Maynor Figueroa, Curtis Davies, Tom Huddlestone, Jake Livermore, Danny Graham and Yannick Sagbo, although not all are expected to start.

Stephen Quinn is Steve Bruce’s only major injury worry as he’s ruled out with a hamstring problem.

Likely Line-Ups

 

Predicted Score

Chelsea 3-0 Hull City: Mourinho’s Chelsea will be far too strong for the new-boys.

CHELSEA SQUAD NUMBERS SUBMITTED

Chelsea have submitted our provisional Premier League squad numbers for the 2013/14 season.
Chelsea have so far registered 26 players, with the numbers below

REPORT: SOUTHAMPTON 1 CHELSEA 4

SummaryOur Under-21s recorded their first win of the new 2013-14 season in some style with a 4-1 win over Southampton at St Mary's. Omar Rowe gave the hosts the lead before goals from Alex Davey, Isaiah Brown, Lewis Baker and

chelsea vs hull city preview

Jose Mourinho will open his second spell in charge of Chelsea with a home date against Premier League new boys Hull City.

The return of Mourinho to English football has created quite a buzz - and not just around Stamford Bridge.

Having guided Chelsea to five major honours during his first stint in west London - including two Premier League titles - the Portuguese tactician will be hoping to sprinkle his magic dust over the Blues once again.
He has wasted little time in reshaping a squad inherited from interim coach Rafa Benitez and will want to ensure that the struggles of recent years - which have left Chelsea sweating on their involvement in the UEFA Champions League - are put firmly to one side.
While nothing less than a charge towards the top flight crown will be accepted by the Blues, Hull City would be happy to end the campaign with a standing among English football's elite safely cemented.
The Tigers lasted two seasons the last time they graced this level, but will need no reminding how difficult it can be for sides stepping out of the Championship to find their feet at the top table.
Steve Bruce's experience could be crucial, and he will be looking to get points on the board early to help calm any nerves and avoid making the 2013/14 campaign more of a challenge than it is already shaping up to be.

PAUL MERSON PREDICTS: 2-0

I don't think Jose Mourinho could have hand-picked a better game than this to start the season. Hull have done well to get Jake Livermore and Tom Huddlestone and will be hard to break down; you can already see the pattern of the match with them getting 11 behind the ball and trying to do something from a set play. They can't afford to get beat fives or sixes on the opening day and some clubs need to get into a mentality that some games will be beyond them. This is a horrible start and they just need to avoid a drubbing.
But I know the way Mourinho plays and they're not usually a team that will go for the jugular. He'll make sure his team doesn't let in many goals and go from there. I can see this being a comfortable 2-0 win and I just hope it doesn't get silly.

Mourinho's back! Chelsea boss talks Rooney, Eto'o, Luiz and his return to the Premier League.

Jose Mourinho has insisted he still wants Wayne Rooney to join Chelsea, despite Manchester United's insistence the England striker is not for sale.
The Blues manager, speaking ahead of his side's opening weekend clash against Hull City, said there is one player he wants to add to his squad, following his words on Chelsea's pre-season tour that their targets are 'Rooney or bust.'
Another striker linked with Chelsea is Anzhi Makhachkala forward Samuel Eto'o, who won the Champions League under Mourinho at Inter Milan in 2010.

But the Chelsea boss seemed determined to focus his transfer wish-list on Rooney, saying: 'I'm just a Chelsea manager, as every one of us (managers) looking always to try to strengthen your squad.
'We all say no, but we lie. Until the last day when the market is open, we all are waiting for something to happen.
'Even when we say we're very happy with our squad, we lie, because we want always to make it better.

Mourinho: I'm back at Chelsea to heal the family rift after Benitez fall out.

Jose Mourinho has vowed to put Chelsea back together following a tumultuous campaign in which reviled Rafa Benitez replaced fans' favourite Roberto Di Matteo.
The Blues descended into civil war after the sacking of Champions League winner Di Matteo and even winning the Europa League could not save Benitez.

PAPER TALK: Chelsea close in on German ace, Man United in for Eto’o?

Chelsea are closing in on a deal to take Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira to Stamford Bridge. The German international has told bosses that he wants to leave the Bernabeu, with Jose Mourinho keen for a reunion at Chelsea. Source: The Metro
Manchester United could be set to rival Chelsea for the signature of Samuel Eto’o. Sources close to the player have claimed United boss David Moyes is interested in signing the 32-year-old from Anzhi Makhachakla, despite the player having spoken of his desire to link back up with Jose Mourinho at Stamford Brisdge. Source: Mirror Football
Meanwhile, United are prepared to offer £40 million to sign Cesc Fabregas. David Moyes and senior United officials are understood to believe the 26-year-old still harbours doubts over his future at Barcelona, and will return with an improved offer after being rejected in their previous approach for Fabregas. Source: The Telegraph

Chelsea new-boy Schurrle: Don't compare me to Marin

Chelsea striker Andre Schurrle is confident that he will be a hit in the Premier League, unlike countryman Marko Marin.

The 22-year-old, who joined from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer, wants to avoid the ill-fortunes of his fellow German, who made only two Premier League starts in 2012-13 before moving to Sevilla on loan for the new campaign.

HOLLAND: FULL FOCUS ON HULL

Three days before we begin the Barclays Premier League season, assistant first team coach Steve Holland provides an update on the training schedule as players return from their national teams.
The squad arrived back from America on Sunday, having beaten Roma 2-1 in Washington DC on Saturday night thanks to Romelu Lukaku's injury-time winner.
'We were pleased to finish well and hopefully that's a good sign for the season, the manner in which we won the game,' Holland said.

Chelsea And PSG Fight For Khedira

Sami Khedira is set to become the subject of a transfer battle between Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain as both clubs look to improve their squad before the transfer window shuts.

The Daily Star suggest that Real Madrid will be reluctant to sell any of their players to former manager Jose Mourinho after he left under questionable terms.

David Luiz tells Chelsea he's staying?

Chelsea appear to have won the battle to keep David Luiz after the defender reportedly told the club that he has no intention of trying to force through a move to Barcelona.

The Liga champions have courted the Brazilian defender throughout the summer and recently had a £35m bid rejected for the 26-year-old.

The big-money bid was turned down by the Blues and Luiz is not expected to try to engineer a move to Spain himself, according to The Mirror.

Barca have also expressed their interest in signing Liverpool's Daniel Agger and Paris Saint-Germain centre-back Thiago Silva this summer.

INTERNATIONALS: VICTORY FOR ENGLISH PAIR

Gary Cahill featured for the full 90 minutes while Frank Lampard was a half-time substitute in England's 3-2 win over Scotland at Wembley on Wednesday night.
Cahill, winning his 16th cap, started in central defence alongside Phil Jagielka and saw his side fall behind to James Morrison's early drive before Theo Walcott's equaliser.
The 27-year-old was then beaten by Kenny Miller early in the second half as the Scots went back in front, only for Danny Welbeck to head an equaliser within a few minutes.
Lampard, a half-time substitute, almost put England in front on the hour when he turned and shot from the edge of the area, forcing Scottish goalkeeper Allan McGregor into a save low to his right, with Leighton Baines, in for the unused Ashley Cole at left-back, unable to convert the rebound.
Three minutes later, after picking up the captain's armband following Steven Gerrard's substitution, the midfielder was booked for a foul on Scotland's Shaun Maloney.
Debutant Rickie Lambert, just on as a sub, headed England's winner from a Baines corner, with Lampard on hand to congratulate the Southampton man. Thirteen minutes from time, the 35-year-old, winning his 98th cap, forced another save from McGregor with a dipping long-range drive.
In Brussels, there were four Chelsea starters as Belgium drew 0-0 with France. Thibaut Courtois, on loan at Atletico Madrid, made two important saves from Karin Benzema as he played the entire game.
Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku nearly combined after 16 minutes, with Gael Clichy forced into an excellent intervention to keep the striker at bay, while a few minutes later Eden Hazard brought a save from French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.
Shortly before half-time De Bruyne dragged a good opportunity wide, and then after the break Lukaku struck the post before being replaced by Aston Villa's Christian Benteke on the hour. Hazard was replaced by Dries Mertens on 74 minutes, with De Bruyne exiting the action on 85, Tottenham's Mousa Dembele replacing him.

Chelsea rocked as Luiz 'tells Mourinho he wants to quit for Barcelona'

David Luiz has dropped a transfer bombshell on Jose Mourinho just a week before the season starts, telling the Chelsea manager he wants to quit for Barcelona, according to reports in Spain.
The Brazil centre half is top of new Barca boss Gerardo Martino summer shopping list as he bids to reposition the Catalan giants at the summit of European football.
Luiz, who has been at Chelsea for two-and-a-half years, has overcome initial concerns about his ability following the £25million move to Stamford Bridge from Benfica, becoming one of the Premier League's best defenders.
 
Internationally, he has excelled alongside Thiago Silva, who earlier this summer turned down a move to the Nou Camp.
New Blues boss Mourinho has previously questioned some elements of Luiz's game, but has been unequivicol in his stance that the 26-year-old would not be sold this summer.
Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo claimed on Tuesday that Barcelona's initial bid of £25m was laughed out of the room by Chelsea, though the firm interest was enough for the player to inform the English club he wanted to leave.
Luiz's stance has encouraged Barca, who are now prepared to raise their offer to around £31m. That, however, falls £12m short of Chelsea's minimum expectation.
Brazil team-mate Dani Alves has added his voice to the campaign to sign the player, though the full back admits he can't see Mourinho letting go easily.
   
Speaking on international duty this week, he said: 'I always want the best for my friends and I tell them to come here if they can. As well as that, he is a great player.
'The problem is not whether he wants to come, but that in the end you have to get away from Mourinho - and that is not going to be easy.
'The idea of facilitating David Luiz coming to Barca would not pass through his head, and even less if it is to strengthen us. It is more than difficult for us, almost impossible.'
Should the pursuit fail, Martino has earmarked Liverpool's Daniel Agger as a cheaper alternative.
Meanwhile, leading papers AS and Marca have featured Gareth Bale on their front pages this week, after they sent reporters to Wales training.
Neither of them were able to coax the wantaway Spurs star into discussing Real Madrid's world record bid.

Eto'o keen on Jose Mourinho reunion at Chelsea

Samuel Eto'o has hinted he would be interested in moving to Chelsea to be reunited with former boss Jose Mourinho.

Chelsea manager Mourinho is reported to be weighing up a move for Eto'o as he looks to bring in a new striker, with the Cameroon ace thought to be available at Anzhi Makhachkala.
Russian side Anzhi are keen to offload a number of stars due to financial problems and Eto'o could be one of the players made available.
Eto'o, who played under Mourinho at Inter Milan, is a huge fan of the Portuguese and admits he would be interested in a move to work with him again.
"There is only one Jose Mourinho. I have played under a lot of great coaches - but there is no other character in the game like Jose," Eto'o is quoted as saying in the Daily Mirror.
"He is one of the best coaches in the world - and we had a lot of success together at Inter Milan. I would like to have the chance to play under him again - because it is never boring when Jose is around.
"Of course Chelsea are a great team - and when we have all the offers on the table then I will discuss with my agent and see what my next step is."

Official: Inter sign Chelsea's Wallace

Inter have now officially taken Wallace on loan from Chelsea after he passed his medical.
The move had been in the works for several weeks, but was finally completed on Tuesday evening.
A statement on the Inter website confirmed Wallace Oliveira dos Santos had signed the contract, securing a one-season loan from Chelsea FC.
The 19-year-old started his career at Fluminense before moving on to Chelsea, but would not find playing time in Jose Mourinho’s side.
Nominally a full-back, the Brazilian will play as a wing-back in Walter Mazzarri’s tactical system.

The Blues have so far rebuffed all attempts from the Catalans to sign the centre-back and his valuation looks set to see Barca drop their interest

Barcelona have been told to double their opening offer for Chelsea centre-back David Luiz if they want to sign the Brazil international this summer.

After rejecting a bid worth a potential €25 million, the Blues have placed a valuation of €50m on the versatile defender.
  
Such a fee would represent a new high-water mark for a defender, exceeding the €42m Paris Saint-Germain paid to beat Barcelona to the signature of Thiago Silva last year. The Spanish champions have spent the entire summer attempting to solve the problem left by that transfer market failure.
  
Seeking a defender with sufficient physical and technical ability to strengthen their porous backline while contributing to their possession-based tactics, Barca initially attempted to recruit Thiago Silva again only to be rebuffed by PSG before suffering the ignominy of losing the race to sign Marquinhos from Roma to les Parisiens.
   The subsequent bid for David Luiz - with €20m guaranteed and a further €5m dependent on performances - was less than the 26-year-old's purchase price from Benfica and was quickly rejected.

However, Camp Nou coach Gerardo Martino is aware that the Catalans are very unlikely to pay the figure Chelsea are demanding and looks set to settle on his current options - the likes of Carles Puyol, Gerard Pique, Marca Bartra and Frank Bagnack - unless he can find an alternative.
  
"If they need a central defender my advice is that they have to go to the second name they have in the list because they are wasting their time," said Mourinho after the offer became public. While Barcelona are ready to increase the sum to €25m plus variables, Chelsea will not sell at that level.
  
The Catalans have looked at two other Premier League defenders as alternatives, opening discussions with Tottenham over Jan Vertonghen and placing a bid with Liverpool for Daniel Agger. Neither move has been well received.
  
Spurs expect to lose Gareth Bale to Real Madrid, so have no interest in selling a defender who excelled in his first season in English football, scoring seven goals in 48 appearances and being named in the Premier League's Team of the Year.

Vertonghen is aware of Barcelona's interest in signing him and, according to a friend, he has long held an ambition of playing for the Camp Nou club. He has, though, enjoyed both his first year at White Hart lane and is thought unlikely to push for a transfer in the manner Bale has.
  
Liverpool flatly rejected Barca's proposed €6m transfer fee for Agger, a player who was close to moving to Manchester City for several times that amount 12 months ago.

"We are aware that Barcelona have made an offer for Daniel that Liverpool have rejected," said the Dane's agent Per Steffensen.
   "Daniel has a contract with Liverpool for the next three years and it would be up to the clubs to agree a fee for his transfer in order for that to change."

If a deal remains impossible to agree for one of their three Premier League targets, Barca may turn to France international Mamadou Sakho, who has been relegated to reserve status at PSG.

Chelsea latest transfer news: Blues find their Drogba Lukaku scores to Mourinho win

Second-half goals from Frank Lampard and Romelu Lukaku lifted Chelsea to a 2-1 win over Roma on Saturday in a friendly football match at RFK Stadium in Washington.

Lukaku scored in the 88th minute to give Chelsea the victory in their final friendly before opening English Premier League play next weekend.

Veteran midfielder Lampard had equalized for the Blues in the 60th, after Roma went ahead in the 20th through Eric Lamela.

Chelsea were quick off the mark, and Roma goalkeeper Morgan de Sanctis had to jump in the second minute to deny a volley from Michael Essien.

But the Italian side drew first blood in the 20th minute, with the aid of a blunder by Chelsea goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer.

The Australian mishandled a back pass, allowing the ball to bounce off his post toward Eric Lamela, who knocked the ball home from a couple of yards out.
 Pablo Osvaldo almost doubled the lead for Roma when he created space inside the area, cutting inside Cesar Azpilicueta and David Luiz and shooting low, but Schwarzer dipped left for the save.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho made six substitutions at halftime and the move paid dividends as the English side stepped up the pressure on the Roma goal.

In the 60th, Demba Ba's found Lampard, who made no mistake with a wide open shot from the top of the arc, firing a low drive into the near corner to make it 1-1.

The Blues found the winner in the 88th. Eden Hazard threaded through the Roma defense, pulling the ball back for Ba who found Lukaku.

Lukaku fired from close range, his deflected shot finding the back of the net.

With the victory Chelsea capped a four-match US pre-season tour.

They beat both AC Milan and Inter Milan by 2-0, and fell 3-1 to Real Madrid on Wednesday, when the final of the International Champions Cup friendly tournament in Miami offered Mourinho a chance to take on the club he departed amid acrimony in June.

It is Mourinho's second spell with Chelsea, the team he guided to Premier League triumphs in 2005 and 2006.