Only Chelsea from the big four have not lost key first team regulars this summer which should give them much needed stability for the season ahead. However, they do have a new man in charge in the shape of Carlo Ancelotti so it promises to be an interesting start to the campaign for the Blues. Their only major summer signing has been Yuri Zhirkov who will add quality to their left flank but more importantly they have kept hold of captain John Terry and Didier Drogba has signed up and is reportedly happy and fit.

A home game against Hull on paper looks the ideal start to the 2009/10 campaign as the Tigers had an awful 2nd half of the last season and may struggle to rebuild their shattered confidence. Phil Brown has made a few new signings with Stephen hunt arguably the best one. New forward Kamel Ghilas is set to play a part in this one but what impact he can have after moving from Spanish 2nd division side Celta Vigo is debatable. This is certainly a baptism of fire against one of the meanest defensive units in the country. The Algerian scored 13 goals in 33 league appearances last season but this is a massive step up in class and a very different type of football than what he is used to.

Brown has failed up to now to make the big signing he was chasing after losing out on both Michael Owen and Bobby Zamora so scoring goals could be a problem for them. After all, they only managed 4 in their last nine games of 2008/09.

Chelsea finished the 2008/09 campaign in excellent style with 7 wins and a draw plus an FA Cup win so will be full of confidence. They’ve also won the Community Shield and will be looking to build on an excellent record of opening day wins. The Blues have scored more opening day goals than any other side (33)and have won their first fixture on each of the last 7 seasons, so will take some stopping.

They also boast last season’s top scorer in the shape of Nicolas Anelka so the Tigers will have their work cut out trying to keep a clean-sheet at the Bridge like they did last time out. It’s hard to imagine that the Hull players won’t be affected by last season’s slump where they picked up just 8 points in 2009. A brilliant start basically kept them up and a draw would be a great result for them this weekend. Unfortunately for the Tigers, I can’t see them stopping Chelsea as they seem a happy and settled squad of players. Therefore, my Premier 10 selection has to be home win as Ancelotti gets his new Stamford Bridge reign off to a winning start.

Alan Hansen’s Premier 10 pick: HOME WIN

Read the rest of Alan’s previews here:

Tags: Alan Hansen, Chelsea, Hull, Premier 10

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