Do Chelsea stick or twist this summer?

After Chelsea made their opening move by signing Yuri Zhirkov in what has become the most exiting transfer window since its controversial inception, the question must be asked, do Chelsea need to strengthen this summer?

If we consider all of the weaknesses of The Big Four it is easy to pinpoint where Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United are likely to struggle in the upcoming season.

A Championship Manager amateur would have noted that Arsenal lacked the muscle and experience in the middle of the park needed to challenge for the major honours last term. The professor has already addressed the need to strengthen his defence with the signing of Thomas Vermaelen from Ajax, and his pursuit of Blaise Matuidi and the protracted Felipe Melo transfer saga would suggest that he is looking for midfield general to enable Cesc Fabregas to flourish as he did beside Matthieu Flamini two seasons ago. Two signings and The Gunners are seemingly sorted.

Liverpool lacked the strength in depth needed to challenge last season and it would seem that Rafa has solved a ‘problem’ at right back by signing Glen Johnson for over £17m. The need to have adequate back up for the world’s best striker, rather than David Ngog is obvious for all to see and Xabi Alonso will have to replaced if sold. If Alonso is sold to Real Madrid for the £35m being quoted I can’t see Rafa having any problems finding players in these key areas, with that sort of cash to play with. And that’s a facht.

So, we move to the champions Manchester United, whose squad looked deeper than a clown's pocket before their outing in Rome, but now looks depleted with the departures of Carlos Tevez and the World Player of the Year, Cristiano Ronaldo. The way in which Manchester United’s midfield was outclassed at every turn during that night in Rome is something that will have concerned Fergie and it will be an area in which he will be keen to strengthen if Owen Hargreaves cannot prove his fitness. The arrivals of Luis Valencia (who simply is not fit to lace Ronaldo’s boots), Michael Owen (who was on Hull City and Stoke City’s radar) and Gabriel Obertan (who couldn’t find a place in the Bordeaux team and was subsequently loaned out) has not stopped the grumblings of discontent from United fans. A lot has been made of the ‘gamble’ on Owen, yet isn’t a gamble at all, a free transfer on performance related pay is far less of a gamble than say, a punt at David Villa for £45m plus the £120k a week he would demand.

Chelsea’s main problem it would seem, is that they do not have an obvious problem to fix. The front three included Nicolas Anelka the league's top scorer, the frightening Didier Drogba and the Premier League's most improved player Florent Malouda, add to this the return of Joe Cole and new boy Yuri Zhirkov, who can play as a wing back or in attack, and impressive starlet Daniel Sturridge, and Chelsea seem to have the full compliment up front. The middle of the park has never been a problem the always impressive Frank Lampard scores 20 goals a season and with the likes of Ballack alongside him with Essien and Mikel as anchors they surely posses the best midfield in the Premier League. With a sound defence, including four top class centre backs and full backs who are as impressive going forward as they are in defending, in Boswinga and Cole, Petr Cech has as much insurance as he needs.

Perhaps Chelsea need to be patient. If Liverpool don’t provide back up for Stevie G and Torres, then one injury could end their challenge and even see them behind Manchester City in fifth. In North London, if no midfield enforcer is found, the impressive attack of Arshavin, Nasri, Van Persie, Fabregas, Walcott, Adebayor and ‘new signings’ Rosicky and Eduardo won't have the defensive insurance required to mount a serious challenge. Manchester United simply have to replace Ronaldo, they probably wouldn’t have won their last two titles without him, but with Kaka and Benzema opting for Madrid, it seems as though Fergie’s £80m will stay in the bank for now.

The question is, are Chelsea’s signings dependant on how the rest of The Big Four move? It would seem that Ancelotti only needs to make the kinds of signings which announce his arrival as Chelsea boss and signal his intentions. This may have already come as his first duty as Chelsea manager was to announce that John Terry was going nowhere, news that will have delighted Chelsea fans more than any announcement about Owen, Valencia, Obertan, Vermaelen, or even Kaka or Benzema for that matter. I can't see any players who will come in and improve the Blues dramatically, and this squad is far stronger than the rest, so why would anyone take the risk of unsettling the squad, I for one cannot see past them this term if the others don’t strengthen.

GoonerDale.