As I speak, they are six points behind Man City who have a game in hand. Yet all respectable pundits seem to be writing them off for the title. At first you might think this is truly ridiculous, but if you further you can see why.
One of the main reasons is that their squad overall is too old. I know people bang on about this but it's true. Their average age is roughly 28 and that includes players like Terry, Drogba and Ivanovic all not known for their blistering pace. This in turn limits there tactical options. They can't play the high line that Andre Villas Boas would prefer to play, because they're picked off almost every single time. Now they have reverted back to the old ways things have got better but problems still remain.
When you think about it, who really so far has had a good season for Chelsea? Apart from Daniel Sturridge, who has been outstanding, everyone else has been extremely average, if not worse. Chelsea fans are probably screaming Juan Mata right now, but what has he really done? We have seen glimpses of brilliance but nothing in the really big games. And please don't anybody mention the Man City game. Granted Chelsea played much better, but got lucky in the process. There was no way Chelsea or Mata was breaking down that City defence for the second time that night, even when they were down to ten men. Chelsea couldn't find the answer until they were gifted a penalty, which was a bit harsh in my opinion. But I suppose you make your own luck sometimes right? Drogba is coming slowing back to form, but in the game against Wigan last night; he seemed thoroughly disinterested and extremely ineffective. Heck, Fernando Torres could've done better (Actually forget I just said that)!
Don't forget it's the African Cup of Nations next month, so Drogba and Kalou will be away for a few weeks, which will leave the manager with a huge decision to make. Does he give Sturridge a go as the main centre forward, without really knowing if he's more effective there than his current wide position in the 4-3-3 formation, or does he go back to Torres and we all know the problems he has got at the moment! Mainly not being able to kick a ball properly, let alone score!
On a quick side note, an interesting fact for you. Currently, Fernando Torres has scored more league goals for Liverpool (four) this calendar year than for Chelsea (three). Torres was at Liverpool for a month and has been at Chelsea for 11 months. Oh how the mighty have fallen!
Back to business and the final problem with Chelsea is that notion that all the purists of the game shiver at the prospect: Player Power. It's well known that Jose Mourinho had his favourites during his time at Chelsea mainly being Terry, Lampard, Drogba, Cech etc. Ever since he left, ever single managerial reign since bar Carlo Ancellotti has been dubbed with infighting and battle for control of the club. Leaks from many sources have been frequent recently which has led to the banning of Academy players from the main training. I wouldn't be too disheartened by this as an academy player. It means there's no chance of Ashley Cole "accidently" shooting you with a rifle. Unfortunately the bigger and more influential players can't seem to take no for an answer and they will have their way and play their way even if it can be completely ineffective. It has to be the mangers fault in some of the player’s eyes, although to be fair that's probably the same at any football club these days if things are going badly.
None of the younger players have the guts to stand up to them especially John Terry. I'm sorry but Terry should've been replaced ages ago. He's got no pace, less and less movement every game and looks like he's going to f**k up every tackle he goes into. The England game against Spain in which he didn't play in showed that he's no longer needed either as 1st choice defender for his country or for his leadership either. There are new young leaders coming through like Phil Jones Jack Rodwell and others, which is what we will need at the Euros. Also soon enough, Terry might be a convicted racist but that remains to be seen. One we do know is, although the fans have that banner: JT, Captain Leader Legend, I think everyone outside Chelsea can see that he is nasty piece of work, thinks he's the best thing since sliced bread and certainly not a legend.
And no those huddles he seems to conduct at the end of every game Chelsea scrape through to win is not leading. That's acting to try and show a united club. The fact is that Chelsea has been a divided club for a long time and it might finally be starting to cost them.
Thanks for reading. If I don't post again before, I hope you all have a very merry christmas and that it is prosperous and happy for all (I hope especially you get all the presents you want and that your favourite team gets three points!) Stay tuned because before the end of the year I shall be compiling my list of the Top Ten Sporting Moments of the Year
So until next time, The Outsider is Out!
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