Is it the end of an era at Chelsea? – Part 1
On Monday night when a young Arsenal side went 3-0 up, there was a question reeling in most people’s mind – is this the end of an era at Chelsea?
One sits back and reviews the damage done by the defeat, and asks how this bunch of 30+ will manage to get back in this title race? Unfortunately for Chelsea, the age factor has suddenly played its part, all at once.
This problem has been highlighted plenty of times in the past that Chelsea need to go out and bring in some young blood. However, when your 5 most important players are above 30 which includes Malouda (30), Anelka (31), Drogba (32), Lampard (32) and Terry
(30), you know there are bound to be problems sooner rather than later.
Carlo Ancelotti faced a similar problem at Milan, when the core of his team grew old and could no longer make the same sort of an impact.
Tottenham have now leapt into fourth position in the table, two points ahead of Chelsea, and if http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chelsea-c38786 fail to beat Bolton tonight, then they will be out of the top four for the very first time this season.
This is simply not acceptable to Roman Abramovich. There is a feeling that Chelsea needs to win their next 3-4 games to stay in the title hunt and more importantly for Carlo Ancelotti – to keep his job.
The change in fortunes has been unbelievably dramatic. Chelsea were racking up 5-nil and 6-nil wins at the start of the campaign with quite ease. Although, Ancelotti knew that such form could not be maintained for too long but neither could he have envisaged
such a drastic turn in form and fortune, which will see them lose a five point lead at the top and sit in 5th spot, 7 points behind league leaders after 18 games.
Chelsea have not won a league game in their last six matches and if a form league table is formulated (from last 6 games), Chelsea will be rock bottom of that table.
Having picked up 3 points from their last six, Chelsea are on their worst run of form since the turn of the century.
While Chelsea are struggling to find answers to their shocking run of results, their rivals are all looking well equipped to have a real go at the title in 2011.
Tottenham have been in stunning form, picking up 17 points from their last 21 available. Manchester City too are now starting to look like a team who are tough to beat. Their emphatic away win against Newcastle was followed by a 4-0 thumping of Aston Villa
at Eastlands.
Arsenal, as we know overcame Chelsea and apart from their loss to Manchester United, they look http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/The-Strongest-c40725 candidate for league title along with favourites, Manchester United.
A lot has been said about the sudden departure of Ray Wilkins and it certainly has had its impact on the chemistry between the coaching staff and the players.
No matter how much the Chelsea boss or the owners deny that Wilkins' departure has got nothing to do with their dismal form, we all know that such things do have their ill effects.
It appeared that Chelsea had a good supporting cast alongside their Italian manager with Frank Arnesen playing the role of sporting director. Now he too is destined to leave Stamford Bridge after deciding against the renewal of his current contract.
This suddenly leaves Carlo Ancelotti all on his own and with the unwanted appointment Michael Emenalo as his assistant; Ancelotti has too much going against him from within the club.
Continued in part 2
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