Four Men Says... FACXTS or FICXTION?

Another edition of my hopefully regular feature called "Four Men Says..." where I ask my fellow Benchers their views about a current event or two.

Now, the football season is well underway, leaving the great Olympic Games of London 2012 a distant memory.  The togetherness of "Team GB" is long gone, as football rivalries come to the fore and football supporters scan Twitter, the Internet, the Papers and all points in between for information on a prospective signing or three which will make the different for their team this season.

One of the teams who have been busy in the transfer market this summer have been Chelsea.  Now, I don't have much time for Chelsea.  They hate us, and we hate them, but having looked quite impressive in their first two matches and sitting on top of the league, with new signings making an impact, I thought I'd ask my colleagues what they thought of Chelsea's signings and their title chances, what with players like Eden Hazard impressing... The question was asked Thursday 23rd August, the day after Chelsea's 4-2 win against Reading.  So here goes

FACXTS OR FICXTION? You are impressed by Chelsea’s signings so far, and Chelsea will mount a serious title challenge this season.

Paul Edmund-Charles (PEC) 

FACXTS(ish) It’s hard to surmise the game last night due to the fact they were edited highlights. Although extended there will ultimately be aspects of the game that would be normally be considered if watched live. Of what I did see, Chelsea stood firm during the period when Reading were in the ascendancy. After half time they played well with Hazard playing the perfect playmaker. I was surprised how much he defends too. I think from what I’ve seen so far this season that Hazard’s influence spreads beyond just him. Other teams will have to watch him and that will free up the space for Ramires, Oscar and Mata. They looked a very decent team going forward, not much long, mainly on the deck but at a pace unusual for Chelsea……

If they gel, and stay free of injury to key players they could hurt the Manchester clubs.

Michael Jhagroo (MJ) @___M_J____

FICXTION Yes, im impressed by Chelski's signings. Having won the Champions League, Roman now wants to produce at team that is more pleasing on the eye. The players they have bought will provide a better standard of football, but may not be as successful in the short term. Personally, I don’t see Chelski winning much this season, So NO, not contenders this season, but will be serious contenders for all major honours next season, once they purge the old boys.

James Freestone (JF) @4menonabench_JF

FICXTION I’m impressed with Hazard, without doubt a quality acquisition to go along side Mata. However the depth to the attacking talent should be a concern. How do they replace Torres, Mata and Hazard when poor form or injuries hit? It’s not like they have a Drogba or Anelka sitting on the bench ready to make an impact. They’ll give the Manchester clubs a stern test, but any sustained title challenge won’t happen. Chelsea feel like the pacesetters you get for a 10k run that slowly fade away in the final 2 laps!

Gavin Woolery-Allen (GWA) @GAV_4MOAB

FACXTS I'm very impressed with Chelsea's signings. Hazard looks like he could take the Prem by storm. Marin is a player I rate, and Oscar has the potential to be a very very good player.  The signings will make Chelsea an attractive team to watch, and have clearly resulted in a change to the way Chelsea play.  I think Chelsea will be up there along with a number of teams this season - with Lampard and Mikel holding, and attacking midfielders playing for Fernando Torres, they have the right mix of solidity and goals.  The only downside I can see to any title challenge is Terry - his legs have gone, and if Torres gets injured.

So there it is - 2.5 to 1.5 in favour of FICXTION.  What do you reckon? Have Chelsea got enough in them to challenge? Let us know below!