Have Chelsea Blown it?

[Saj]

The gap increasing, key players injured, leaking goals and Mourinho getting edgy.

Is it all over for Chelsea?

[Geordie Ahmed]

never say never BUT it is looking that way.

Defensively they are all over the place, Cech cannot come back soon enough for them, the same for Terry who is out for god knows how long. The loss of Gallas is being felt right now.

The squad isnt that impressive really, they have 4 top central midfielders (Makelele, Lampard, Essien and Ballack) BUT they dont have that much depth in wing - the injury to joe cole is hurting them aswell.

Drogba is effectively carrying their team, if he is injured then it would be bye bye to the title.

Its highly likely that Abramovich will open his wallet BUT any player he signs is going to need time to admit so it may well be a case of a little too late.

[Jameel]

Six points is not a big enough gap to say its over. But if United carry on playing the way they are, then the title will be back where it belongs at Old Trafford in May, no doubt about it.

[Geordie Ahmed]

Originally Posted by Jameel Six points is not a big enough gap to say its over. But if United carry on playing the way they are, then the title will be back where it belongs at Old Trafford in May, no doubt about it.

belongs?

on current form they do deserve it and if they maintain this form then it will be going to worthy champions

[Jameel]

Originally Posted by Geordie Ahmed belongs? on current form they do deserve it and if they maintain this form then it will be going to worthy champions

To me, Chelsea are not true champions. They were at most, a top 5 club before the Russian came along and made them his new toy. They play crappy football, they spend ridiculous money on players they don't intend to play (SWP), they are very ungracious in defeat and they think they can overtake us as the biggest club in the country, which is comical.

United on the other hand have only ever spent big money on world class players who they intended to play week in week out, we play the most exciting football in the country, we can accept defeat (we gave chelsea a guard of honour in 2005) and we have a history and heritage that Chelsea will never be able to buy.

Just my opinion. Thats why I said it belongs at OT. But of course as you say, they need to maintain their form and earn it.

[madaboutlfc]

i think they will outspend everyone in jan and sort the problems out.. rather them than the mancs anyday

[Saj]

The thing is, I hear Man Utd, Liverpool, Spurs and other fans saying that Chelsea are only winning things because of the money, but I bet I wouldnt hear too many of them complaining if Abramovich had invested in their clubs?

[Amjid Javed]

United at moment look favourites. Chelsea will need to hanging in there till they get the likes of cech, terry etc.. back.

However Morinhno seems to be banking on chelsea beating united at home to close some of the gap, thats a dangerous assumption!

[Amjid Javed]

Originally Posted by Jameel we play the most exciting football in the country

[Geordie Ahmed]

at the moment AJ they are playing the most exciting football BUT in the recent past Arsenal have been the most exciting team

[Jameel]

Originally Posted by Amjid Javed

At times Arsenal play the most exciting football (e.g. against Blackburn) but they don't do it as consistently as Utd. Too many times they play utter shiite like they did tonight.

[Amjid Javed]

I find it very good for premiership that Utd atleast are challenging chelsea for the title.

Its a shame arsenal/liverpool have fallen so far behind.

Utd always tend to do well in 2nd half of the season and i feel Chelseas focus may be swayed towards CL later in season, and it seems Utds focus is more on premiership and i think in end Utd will win the league.

[Jameel]

I think this year is a one off. Next season I doubt it will be a two horse race. I think Arsenal will challenge, and maybe Spurs as well. Hopefully Liverpool will remain crap.

[Amjid Javed]

Chelsea have conceeded 7 goals in last 4 games without john terry,

They look all at sea at the back and the keeper well his name says it all hilario(us)

[The Godfather]

Man u will win the prem no doubt to that chelsea have blown it

[Pak_Pace]

six pts is a big lead, but then again United have Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal and Spurs away so those will be tricky games...

Chelsea seem to perform really good against the big teams, but not sure how they'll cope with with their current defensive problems though...

anyway you cant just say Chelsea are winning because of money, they were lucky to have Abramovic but Mourinho has done a good job, and so have their players...

anyway i hope chelsea have blown it, and at least this time theres the CL to look forward to if United do start to slip up (just because i support Utd doesnt mean im a Glory Hunter, after all there's no proper domestic league in Pakistan, and I started supporting Utd when Arsenal went unbeaten the whole season, and I've stayed with Utd even though they havent won anything since)

[madaboutlfc]

Originally Posted by Saj The thing is, I hear Man Utd, Liverpool, Spurs and other fans saying that Chelsea are only winning things because of the money, but I bet I wouldnt hear too many of them complaining if Abramovich had invested in their clubs?

so they are winning things because of the money.. you have to be the most deluded fool to even think that Chelsea have been successful for any reason other than abramovichs millions

[madaboutlfc]

Originally Posted by Pak_Pace six pts is a big lead, but then again United have Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal and Spurs away so those will be tricky games...

that is a very intelligent point.. United have not played hard away games where they will drop points.. 6 points is nothing..

[sufyanali]

yea i think they have blown it

[The Godfather]

i dont think that chelsea and mourinhio(sorry about the spelling) dont realise that there squad aint that good becausse if u look at it they are struggling with 2 players out

[Pak_Pace]

Mourinho says that Carvalho is the only central defender he has but isnt Boulahrouz a central defender as well??...just asking because im not sure...

[Geordie Ahmed]

Boulahrouz is a RB who plays CB - or it might be the other way round tho he has mainly played RB. He has been rubbish for them

[Pak_Pace]

in Football Manager 2007, he's CB...

[Daoud]

Originally Posted by Pak_Pace in Football Manager 2007, he's CB...

Thats not accurate though cause he played RB for Holland in the WC and usually plays RB

[Pak_Pace]

ok, i was just posting where the game had positioned him....im not even sure abt that actually...

[Zechariah]

There are 17 games left. Nothing is yet over.

[Pak_Pace]

anyway lead can be down to 4 pts today, although I hope not...Villa drew at Stamford Bridge earlier in the season i think, so they have a chance tonight at home...

[Saj]

I've still got a feeling that there will be a few more twists and turns. Too early in the season to count Chelsea out of the race.

[Geordie Ahmed]

Seems like my team has made the title race more interesting now

[Amjid Javed]

Chelsea seem to be stuck in a Rut at moment... to many Draws!

[Saj]

Chelsea seem to though have a number of players who arent on top of their game. Too much reliance on Essien, Drogba and Lampard at the moment.

[madaboutlfc]

their biggest miss is Cech because the defensive organization is all over the place. title race will be decided at easter though..

[The Godfather]

it will be man u' s year chelsea are too in consisitent