Chelsea faced a tough test when they faced Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday. They past the test with flying colours by beating the Gunners 3-0 on their home turf. It seemed so clinical.
Not outstanding
I didn’t think Chelsea’s performance against the Gunners was especially outstanding. However Chelsea have that in their locker under Carlo Ancelotti, the fact that they don’t have to be at their best to claim maximum points.
They have produced some outstanding performances this season and won. However they have produced some poor performances and still managed to pick up points.
Drogba brilliant
Chelsea striker Didier Drogba is currently in superb form. The powerful striker is one of worlds best on his day. His histrionics with the diving and acting in certain games can be infuriating but I think most people would still love him in their team. He has every quality necessary for a top world striker. He has pace, strength and fantastic heading ability. He also does a great job helping out in defence when his side are under pressure.
Different side
Chelsea look like a different side from last season thanks to boss Carlo Ancelotti. Last season’s Chelsea finished third and only started playing well when Guus Hiddink was brought in as boss. Ancelotti has carried that momentum on into this season and I cant see Chelsea losing.
Ancelotti has brought those great Italian football attributes of discipline and organisation. The squad of players is basically the same squad as last season but they look like a different team. I have always thought of Ancelotti as a top boss and he is only enhancing his previous good reputation at the Bridge.
His career stagnated slightly at Milan. This was down to some of his squad being older than the Chelsea pensioners. His stay at San Siro was trophy laden. He won two Champions League trophies and lost another final against Liverpool in the famous 2005 final in Istanbul. Ancelotti has just the pedigree needed to make Chelsea Premier League champions again and challenge for the Champions League trophy.
Absentees in January
Chelsea will lose four players to the African Nations in January. The Blues will be the hardest hit of the top Premier League sides. They will lose the previously mentioned Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou to the Ivory Coast, Michael Essien to Ghana and John Obi Mikel to Nigeria. Chelsea will miss Drogba and Essien as they are key players but their fixtures in January aren’t as hard as they could be. They can cope without the four stars for a month and still be well in the Premier League title race.
Two horse race
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson and Tottenham’s Harry Redknapp have both recently claimed the league title will be a two horse race. I have to agree with the two veterans. How can you see past Chelsea and the champions for the Premier League crown?
Arsenal are eleven points behind Chelsea and Liverpool are a further two points behind. The likes of Tottenham, Aston Villa and Manchester City are just not consistent enough. I thought Liverpool would put in a realistic title challenge this season but their awful season so far has surely ruled that out now.
Chelsea good tip
In my view Chelsea are the strongest team in the Premier League this season and will probably claim the title come the end of the season. The Blues would have to slip up big time to let United back into the title race. However you can never write off Sir Alex Ferguson and his team.
Chelsea also still have to visit Old Trafford which could prove the pivotal game of the season. What is clear is that every other team in the league is lagging behind the top two. Arsenal are just a few tough players away from being a top team but unfortunately they are still vulnerable to physical sides. If Arsene Wenger sorts that out next summer then they could be a real force next season. It would make be nice to see a different name on the Premier League trophy but it looks like we will have to wait another season for that.
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