Has Jose got big enough squad?

Last updated : 01 September 2006 By Paul Lagan

With the loss of William Gallas to Arsenal and with Ashley Cole coming to the Bridge,
Chelsea's squad is now two short from last season's total of 24.
Adding Robert Huth's expected, albeit late departure to Middlesborough, it means that Jose now has only 19 outfield players to call on this season.
Granted we have brought in world-class players who can 'hit the ground running' but we have also lost a few who made the difference in the last couple of years.
This is the ins and out this summer.

Pidgeley, Gallas, Huth, Del Horno, Gudjohnsen, on-loan Maniche, Carlton Cole, Duff and going on loan Crespo and Johnson:

In have come Hilário, Boulahrouz, Ashley Cole, Ballack, Mikel, Kalou and Shevchenko, and back from loan Morais.

The question now is is the squad big enough to cope with the expected retention of the Premiership and the capture of the Champions League?
The loss of Gallas will have hurt Jose the most. His is clearly the one player who ,had there being no contractual problems , would have expected to be a regular starter in the squad.
All the others have left to assure themselves of first team action. Crespo the notable exception.
Time will tell if Peter Keynon has made a basic error in selling a vital player to a domestic rival.