WHEN Jose Mourinho’s champions take to the Wembley turf for their season-opening match against Arsenal in the Community Shield next week, his players will know that last season’s Premier League triumph will count for nothing if they are unable to build upon that success.

The challenge for Chelsea is simple: to show that last season was no fluke.

Last season, they reclaimed their league crown after a prolonged period of dominance from the Manchester clubs. And aside a few minor scares, it has to be said that Mourinho’s men won it with relative ease.

They ended up finishing the season with the swagger of a side bristling with self-confidence and pride. Where their opponents struggled with consistency, Mourinho’s formula — defensive solidity, a team ethic based upon denying opponent’s space and a small, but settled, group of players — worked well.

The main difference between Chelsea and the likes of Manchester City and Arsenal was in small part due to the performances of key players in the squad. Mourinho’s starting line-up continually featured the same names.

In Eden Hazard, the worthy recipient of the player of the year award, they possess a supremely gifted playmaker, one able to unlock the tightest of defences. Ominously, the Belgian has yet to reach the peak of his powers.

With the formidable Nemanja Matic and Cesc Fabregas shielding the back line, Hazard, a Mourinho favourite for his work rate, was given the freedom to roam the final third of the pitch with devastating effect.

Diego Costa’s contribution was impressive in what was his first full season in English football. Keeping him fit will be one of Mourinho’s challenges.

Leading them all was the inspirational John Terry. The Chelsea captain narrowly missed out to Hazard in the individual accolades but there is no denying that the former England skipper had a superb season.

Changes have been rather minimal, with Ramadel Falcao being brought in for Didier Drogba, and Asmir Begovic replacing the departed Petr Cech. Everton’s John Stones could be on his way, however. The defender would be a welcome addition to the backline.

In truth it is difficult to see any of Chelsea’s rival clubs having developed enough to beat the west Londoners to the league race.

However, Mourinho is now heading into his third year at the club.

Success is no longer measured by the domestic trophy haul. He must be a champion in Europe’s premier competition and match his feats at both Porto and Internazionale.