Due to our recent signings and outgoings and all our activity in the transfer market, we seem to be changing the way we play instead of using the long ball tactic which has flourished since we've been using it. However, new signings of Eden Hazard, Oscar and Marko Marin show that we could be changing our style of play.

Admittedly, there are going to be a few key players this year in which if they perform to a high level, we may see us mount a serious title bid however if one player was too perform greater than others, who would have the greatest impact?

My personal opinion is Fernando Torres, the excuses i'm afraid have come to an end this season for Nando. The last 18 months have been tough for him but I don't think all down to his poor performances as we do not play to his strengths, the tactic used for Drogba instead. We began to see a glimpse of the real Torres towards the end of the season under Di Matteo and can see a strong link between him and Mata however with players such as Oscar and Eden Hazard also supplying him, I think he could have a top season. On the flip side, all excuses are out of the window therefore he has to step up this season!

Who do you think could be a key player this year for us to mount a title bid and finishing high up in the league?

Being that Meireles, Ferriera, Benayoun, Lukaku(loan) and Malouda may all leave is the reason they're not on the list.

Edited August 2, 201213 yr by JMaher94

It simply has to be Torres, if he hits his straps then we will do very well (hopefully) if not then we may still struggle to an extent. Its fairly obvious the signings so far have all been about getting the best out of Torres, build our attack around him.

It simply has to be Torres, if he hits his straps then we will do very well (hopefully) if not then we may still struggle to an extent. Its fairly obvious the signings so far have all been about getting the best out of Torres, build our attack around him.

Very true, I also think Oscar may have a part to play depending where we position him. I'd like to see him part of the double pivot along with Mikel or Lamps as I think he could add speed to the attack with his range of passing which I think builds too slowly from the back.

I think Torres is going to be key for us this season, simply because if he doesn't start banging them in on a regular basis then I can't see us scoring enough to challenge for the league. Its all well and good buying a lifetime supply of creative midfielders, but if your striker can't hit a barn door with a banjo, then your not going to have a good time.

Petr Cech....he could have a lot to do

Edit: I should point out that I said that to offer something different. It's quite clear if we don't sign another striker, Torres is the most important as the only top striker on our books.

Edited August 2, 201213 yr by Cam

Torres . He must start scoring this season , we need him back at his best so we can challenge for the prem.

It may sound ott and unfair on the bloke, but I honestly think our season hinges on torres. If he clicks with the new boys, scores a few early on and regains his swagger, then I think it could be a fun couple of years. If he doesn't deliver... well, we no longer have drogba to drag us to something special like last season.

I think Mata will have another great season.

Given how light we are up top then Torres has to be key for us this season.

He looked good at the Euros and was dangerous towards the end of the season so hopefully he will start the season as he finished it.

I have a feeling Hazard is going to be very important this season, in a similair way that Mata was last season.

Rambo, our midfield engine. Its vital that he keep up his performances.

Voted for Frank, but could have been Terry and Cech as well. It's going to be massively important that these leader figures stand out now that Drogba is gone.

Torres of course! If he carries on his form from at the end of last season and euros we could push the manchester teams all the way.

Hazard will be our best player next season I suspect.

Torres or it`s kneecapping time my son

Hazard will be our best player next season I suspect.

But that is an answer to a different question all together. Our best player wont necessarily be our "key" player.

Key player is Mata, was last season ans will be this season, we really missed him in pre season, we never really create chances without him.

Your best player is generally quite key, I would suggest.

The key player for me is probably Terry, but then again it could be Rambo, or ..

No, I'm going to stick with Hazard.

Torres.

Your best player is generally quite key, I would suggest.

Not really, Makalele was always a key player but not really our best player at the time. Depends on how you define best player I suppose.

It has to be Torres especially if we are not going not be bringing another striker in.Big season for him if he doesn't deliver this season then we may struggle to score goals again.

Not really, Makalele was always a key player but not really our best player at the time. Depends on how you define best player I suppose.

Ballack is another example in my opinion. Not flashy, maybe over the top, but boy did we miss him when Drogs got malaria, Wilkins got the boot and Lampard became injured. Maybe not the most important player, but certainly top 3-4 if we look at how we played for a couple of months there.

There's more to a performance than just flair and skills, and if the "old guard" steps up then they will drag the others with them.

Edited August 2, 201213 yr by Ozztheboss

Not really, Makalele was always a key player but not really our best player at the time. Depends on how you define best player I suppose.

I'd agree with that. Not the best player on show perhaps but definitely key. He was pretty decent though, though he took a crap penalty ..

In the cases of Man Utd, Real Madrid, Utd and a few others, I'd say their key player was their best player, and so I think it will prove next season for us, with Hazard, who, from the little I've seen, is really something special. Yes he is young and new to the Prem, but that doesn't mean he can't take it by storm, and I have a hunch he will.

Has to be Hazard really, Torres can get away with a similar season to last (Not too similar though). He was extremely unlucky not to get more goals, keepers pulling off wonder saves that they wouldn't be able to do again in their life, etc. Can't see the same thing happening this season.

Hazard simply has to step up and create lots of chances and also chip in with the goals, he's going to be the main attacking outlet which will give room for the likes of Mata and Oscar to pick their passes as defenders will be focusing on Hazard. If he's slow to start then the likes of Torres, Mata and Oscar will find it hard to get going as well.

Edited August 2, 201213 yr by Remodez

There's only juan Mata