True Blue: Chelsea have to face their most formidable football challenge

Not all of them, of course. Our England lads as well as those others involved in Euro 2012 are still sitting on a beach somewhere, or in Frank Lampard’s case in a spectators’ box with David Beckham watching the LA Galaxy out in the US of A.

To Frank’s great credit, and a mark of a true human being, that he returned to London mid-holiday to attend the funeral of a highly respected football journalist.

The boys will face what will be their most formidable football challenge ever.

As well as trying to bridge the league gulf that saw the Blues descend to sixth place, they will have to contend with increased fixtures to accommodate the Super Cup and, at the end of the year, the energy-sapping World Club Championship in Japan, the FA Cup and whatever the League Cup is called this season (yeah, I know, don’t shout - it’s the Capital One Cup).

Oh, and they will seek to defend their Champions League title too.

The point is that Chelsea will have to have all their top players available and fit, if they are to navigate this mother of all seasons.

Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne were photographed this week at Chelsea’s Cobham training ground going through their pre-season drills.

I thought I’d check to see what squad number the pair are going to have this season.

I could be wrong, but as far as I’m aware the club hasn’t officially told the fans.

Those wanting to have their names and numbers on the new away shirt or even home shirt will have to wait a tad longer.

But those with a keen eye and of a betting persuasion might like to take a punt and go for number 17 for Hazard and 14 for De Bruyne.

Why? Well they were obligingly wearing said numbers on their training kit during the session.

Seventeen was the number of a recently-departed Jose Bosingwa, while 21 is now up for grabs following Salomon Kalou’s move to Lille in northern France.

Whoever is given 11 will have Didier Drogba forever mentioned by comparison while those who fancy stepping into Alex’s immense shirt can have 33 or Nicolas Anelka’s 39.

That’s enough of the numbers’ game for now unless you know tomorrow’s winning EuroMillions jackpot ones. In which case, drop me a line with them to cfcjourno@gmail.com or follow me on twitter @cfcjourno.