AFR Answers: “With Drogba, Essien, and Kalou at the African Cup of Nations, is this the time to catch Chelsea?”
AFR Answers: “With Drogba, Essien, and Kalou at the African Cup of Nations, is this the time to catch Chelsea?”
Brutalbrodeo asked, “While Drogba, Essien, and Kalou are away, do you think this is the best chance anyone has of catching Chelsea?” Really good question, brutalbrodeo.
Short answer: It is the best chance for Arsenal and Manchester United to capitalize, but as we saw today with Chelsea on 7th heaven, it is still not much of a chance. Chelsea are not like most sides, the club’s depth is unmatched by any other squad in the Premier League.
Long answer: Didier Drogba is the best striker in the world, and Michael Essien is certainly one of the best defensive midfielders, so you would logically think that losing two world class players (as well as Jon Obi Mikel and supersub Saloman Kalou) would hurt a team, but that simply is not the case for Chelsea. Check out earlier analysis on Chelsea called “Form is temporary, Class is permanent”. While you couldn’t imagine the likes of Fabregas, Rooney, Gerrard, or Torres not starting for their respective clubs when fit, Chelsea has the ability to willingly replace every one of their stars with yet another star fighting for minutes. If Frank Lampard loses focus, in you go Joe Cole. If John Terry is asking for a red card, get in there Alex. If Drogba is getting frustrated, terrorize the defence Kalou. Barcelona has achieved the golden standard for a squad without weakness, but Chelsea is not far behind.
Chelsea have scored 12 goals in its past two games, without its top scorer. Chelsea faces Birmingham at the Bridge and Burnley at Turf Moor. I can’t see Chelsea dropping points in these two games (possibly losing two points against Birmingham). Chelsea’s next true test will be hosting Arsenal on February 7th, but by then all of the Blues’ African stars will be back training with the squad.
Chelsea has not won the Premier League yet, and I’m not going to say they will. But with every asset at his disposal, there is no reason why Don Carlo shouldn’t be bringing the silverware back to the Bridge. But that’s just our say, what do you think?
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