Folks,

I wanted to share a few thoughts with you as we get ready for the start of the EPL season. This season promises to be a very interesting one with sides ranging from Tottenham to Aston Villa to Portsmouth loading up on talent for a charge at the top 4-5 spots. 

I am going to begin with Chelsea, mostly because they look as if they will be the biggest obstacle to Man Utd's attempt to win back to back to back EPL titles. As we know, a lot has changed so far this summer in West London but my feeling is that a bit more needs to change before Chelsea have the tools to take the title from Utd.

First, as a positive for Chelsea fans they swapped the dull Avram Grant for BIG PHIL Scolari. Scolari has a wonderful track record at the international level and will be able to manage the stars in the Chelsea squad. This should help them a lot - after all you cannot have a successful club if players are confused whether their coach or captain calls the shots (see the stories on Grant/Jose v Terry from the last couple of years).

The decision to bring in Deco was also a terrific move. The little midfielder has a lot of quality and is a tough lad as well. He is used to playing for Big Phil and I think that the pairing of Deco and Ballack will be critical for Chelsea this season.

Holding onto Drogba is also an important summer decision for Chelsea and I think that the Ivorian will come back ready to create chaos in opposition penalty areas this season.

However, all is not perfect for Chelsea in my opinion and I think that there are four or five key moves they need to make before the end of the transfer window to secure the squad they need to win the EPL:

1. In a partial swap - they should accept the trade of Lampard for Adriano (and 15 million) being offered by Inter. I think that Adriano and Drogba will play well together and the Brazilian can also provide cover for the Ivorian big man.

2. Sell some fringe players and folks with an iffy temperament -- Anelka, Pizzaro, Sheva and SWP should all be sold. 

3. Bring in one covering defender -- perhaps Steve Taylor from Newcastle.

4. Sign Robinho. He wants to come -- 35 million pounds should do it. Anelka, Pizzaro, Sheva and the cash from a Lampard sale would be more than enough.

5. If 1-4 are completed (and if you consider the transfer moves so far this summer - selling fringe players like Sidwell and Ben Haim and bringing in Deco etc.) Chelsea  will have spent very little -- perhaps 5-10 million pounds tops. The squad would look pretty well balanced. It would allow for one BIG buy -- maybe the World Futbol Player of the Year Kaka?

What do you guys think - do Chelsea need to make some or all of the moves I have suggested? Should they? Can they win the EPL with the squad they have now?