Chelsea v Swansea: Five key battles

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Champions Chelsea begin the defence of their Premier League title against Swansea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. The Blues will be strong favourites but face a side that has shown they are a force to be reckoned with. Here’s five potential battles we think might be crucial this weekend.

John Terry v Bafetimbi Gomis
Swans strker Gomis has recovered from a hamstring problem and could cause the Blues problems. He had been linked with a move in the summer but the Frenchman, who scored the only goal in a win at Arsenal last season, has stayed put for now. His scrap with Chelsea skipper Terry will be fascinating and potentially vital.

Nemanja Matic v Gylfi Sigurdsson
Swansea could deploy a diamond midfield, headed up by creative spark Sigurdsson, which will put pressure on Matic. The Serbian was excellent during the Blues’ title-winning campaign but Sigurdsson will look to emulate his former Spurs team-mate Christian Eriksen, whose movement helped open up the midfield in Tottenham’s 5-3 New Year’s Day win.

Eden Hazard v Kyle Naughton
Fourteen goals, nine assists and having played all bar 41 minutes of the last Premier League season, Hazard is a man no full-back will relish coming up against this term. First up is Naughton, whose last visit to the Bridge was as a Tottenham player in March 2014. Spurs were thrashed 4-0 and he was booked for fouling Hazard, who was outstanding.

Matic was a pivotal player for Chelsea last season
Matic was a pivotal player for Chelsea last season

Cesc Fabregas v Jack Cork
Former Chelsea youth and reserve team captain Cork has only played once at the Bridge since he left to join Southampton in 2011. That was in the Saints’ 2-2 draw in early 2013, when he impressed while dealing with the forward runs of Ramires and Frank Lampard. This time he’s likely to be up against Fabregas, whose brilliant start to last season helped Chelsea begin the last campaign in fine style.

Loic Remy v Radamel Falcao
This key battle will take place in Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho’s mind if Diego Costa isn’t fit enough to start. Remy scored seven goals in 19 Premier League games for the Blues last season, while Falcao managed just four in 26 during a loan spell at Manchester United. Remy’s appearance on the bench alongside other first-team regulars in the midweek friendly with Fiorentina suggests he may get the nod, but Falcao has looked sharp in pre-season.

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