ESPN Soccernet - Correspondents - Chelsea- Pride restored, advantage Chelsea

Posted by David Kyle on 05/03/2011

It has been a while I know, and in the fickle world of football how much has changed since that gloomy Champions' League match in Manchester.

The first point that must be made from that hugely disappointing night is that Chelsea have certainly restored their pride in the last few weeks.

Carlo Ancelotti himself said it, if we win all matches then we can win the league.

We are making great efforts to do so, and yes the win against Spurs was a fortunate one - but a fortunate win is something we have been lacking this season.

I don't think there is one thing you can put your finger on to say where this epic turnaround has come from, but if somebody said to me in January that come the start of May we would be three points off the top then I would've laughed in their face.

The match on Sunday is going to be of epic proportions. The pressure is completely on Man United - the league has been theirs to lose for months now, and losing to Arsenal in a tame display showed that even Fergie's men suffer from nerves.

Our major boon for the weekend, compared to the Champions' League tie, is the eligibility of David Luiz. He was missing in Europe, and a big display from him can help us to achieve the unthinkable.

Of course even if we do get the three points we still have to win against Newcastle and Everton, but United still have games against Blackburn and Blackpool (both fighting for their survival) and will also have one eye on the Champions' League final.

I mentioned earlier that football was a fickle sport, my last blog mentioned that we were 90 minutes from all or nothing. At that stage in time I truly believed our season was over.

Even if we don't win on Sunday we have a great deal of honour to take into the next season with us. To think that we are three points up on Arsenal is a great feat in itself.

Form is temporary - all of the top three teams have gone through crazy blips that have resulted in losing an advantage, it is up to Chelsea to pounce now.

I truly feel, barring the first few matches of the season, we have hit something near our peak form. Even though the goals against Tottenham were both lucky, the result wasn't - something discounted by much of the press here. Tottenham's single chance was a good, but fortuitous, shot by Sandro which ended up in the back of the net.

It is rather odd being in this stage of the season and being able to look upon us still as challenging for the title, great credit needs to be thrusted in the direction of Ancelotti. He has had a lot to contend with this season, and now speculation is rife that he will not be at the helm come August - in my opinion this would be an absurd decision, the one thing we have missed in the Abramovich era is stability, this is the time to embrace the opportunity.

So it once again Sunday is an all or nothing match. We have far less to lose than United in my opinion, second place wouldn't be the most devastating end to an all round frustrating season.

First? We'll see. Keep the Blue Flag Flying High!

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Comments

Posted by ogedengbe a on 05/03/2011

ours iz d title, sorry utd u can wait a little longer........

Posted by sid on 05/03/2011

chelsea have definitely been playing well lately, but to say the result wasn't lucky against tottenham is garbage. neither goal should have counted (obviously, and without argue) and chelsea struggled to create meaningful chances. having said that, united have had luck through many matches (see west brom and stoke away) so for sir alex to be going on about chelsea's luck really is quite hypocritical (and completely expected).

and i desperately hope that we beat man united, so for me torres CANNOT start, he has been very poor. i found it ridiculous that the stamford bridge crowd has to give him such a rapturous ovation for what was really only a decent display against tottenham. pathetic, hopefully the 50 million pound man can step it up next season (don't want to see him the rest of this one).

Posted by kingsley on 05/03/2011

You are very right the pride is restored with us having 3 points behind Man U. You are also right when u said that what we lacked is stability during this Russian era. However, we need to win this match come Sunday. Our season will good if we win premiership. Formation for me will be 4 4 2 while the players for me will be back
Chec
Inanovic Luiz Terry Cole
Essien
Ramirez Lampard Malouda
Anelka
Torres
I will love Anelka behind Torres so that he can help the Lampard the rest in the middle and at the same time support Torres up front. Secound half we can bring in Drogba if we still have a scoreless first half. Now we can remove Malouda for Drogba up with Torres and Anelka behind them. We can win this match. Thanks for this forum

kingsley

Posted by John on 05/04/2011

Well said, sir.

I agree that the victory against Tottenham was taken down as pure luck, we had ten times the amount of chances Tottenham did.

A quick question, how important do you think Drogba has been in these last few weeks, and is it time for him to leave?

KTBFFH!

Posted by Martin on 05/04/2011

"The pressure is completely on Man United"

Not really. It's Chelsea who need 3 points. Anyway, I expect another game of red cards and penalties...

Posted by Justin on 05/04/2011

This is well-written with some good points, but I disagree that all the pressure is on United. Chelsea can see all their good work of the last month made completely irrelevant with so much as a draw. They played loose and relaxed for weeks, as the title was gone. Now suddenly it comes down to one match, and you don't think they will feel pressure? Also, apart from Spurs, it's been one easy fixture after another in the league, and they will know that.

Posted by FORCA BLUES!!!! on 05/04/2011

come on chelsea,come on chelsea!!!!
Lets win the title!
KTBFFH!!!!

Posted by taiwo erinle akne on 05/04/2011

open chance,chelsea
this is an opportunity for chelsea to become the champion of england again because of the defeat m.utd had against arsenal last weekend. this has given them the chance to be at the top of the table if chelsea can win against m.utd this weekend.
till the encounter day.up blues!

Posted by Enyioma Daniel on 05/05/2011

I still believe in the Chelsea team. Though it was not an easy peal to swallow as we lost to Man U in the champions league. The greatest headache being not just that we lost but the way we lost. Chelsea has some advantage going into the match on Sunday but we should not just depend on those but face the match with all seriousness. I know too well that both the players and the coaching crew know what is at stake and should not gamble this away. The mistake of which player starts first should not be made. Ramires is a good player but to me the match on Sunday needs people who has gotten much experience. It shouldn't be like the champions league selection to avoid 'stories that touch'. Thanks an still keep the Blue Flag an Faith up!

Posted by Victor on 05/05/2011

I would like to agree with you.Toward the end of last year and the begining of this year,if u asked me then about chelsea,i wud av surely told u that relegation is begoning with both hands widely open.big up chelsea and hpe 2 c them retain the coveted cup

Posted by tim on 05/05/2011

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Posted by Divay Bhardwaj on 05/05/2011

We will beat man utd on sunday and show those losers in the red shirts who the real champions are.Blue will be the color on sunday.
PS:i think you should increase the frequency of your blog.

Posted by brother on 05/05/2011

the pressure is on both teams ,u can't say more pressure is on Man U.That title is ours and we should retain it at all costs.The best strategy will be to start with Torres upfront with Anelka and then Drogba and Malouda second half.We don't need to be scored first and then substitute late like the coach usually does.Come on .Chelsea go go!! we're behind u.

Posted by Sailor on 05/05/2011

lets embrace change..lets embrace the coach's determination..i agree with u even if we dnt get the league we must b hapi 4 finishin 2nd as only a few months ago we looked as a team who will struggle 4 champs league spot.bt lesson 2 be learned from all this is that we nid 2 atleast sign a few more new players

we nid a strong winger and sm1 2 add bit of variation on the middle of the park...this will give the coach ways 2 toy around with the system.2 tell the truth chelsea have been so so predictable for the past two seasons.we nid a genius lyk modric or dortmund's Sahin or schalke's Jurado.we jus rely on super lampard n when he aint there we cant even get points off teams..sunderland game 2 name jus a few is gr8 example...

Posted by mat on 05/05/2011

advantage chelsea? coming into old trafford where you've already lost this year needing to win just to come level on points? that's having the advantage? i don't see it. surely being 3 points clear, only needing to draw at home and having the easier run in is having the advantage, but what do i know?

Posted by ADEAGBO ABIODUN WASIU on 05/05/2011

Anyway, i believe in Chelsea team with passion and i know the score line will favour Chelsea, if micheal Obi,can be paired with lampard and drogba also paired with torress at the front. Chelsea surely deserves a win. and will surely win the match but it is going to be one of the though games of this season 2011....because man-united team will not want to go-down,while chelsea want to come up, winning the league.

Posted by Red Devil on 05/05/2011

We are making great efforts to do so, and yes the win against Spurs was a fortunate one - but a fortunate win is something we have been lacking this season.

Fortunate?? The ref and his assistants were your 12th man and should have got MotM! Much like most of the season apart from when you couldn't buy a win or draw. Anyway, It'll be better to win the league at OT and shut terry up once and for all. GGMU!

Posted by Tunhamirai Nyengera on 05/05/2011

I love chelsea but Ancelotti should not blunder by fielding a weak team. the defence should be comprised of Terry, Cole, Ivanovic and Luis. We should congest our midfield by deploying Essien, Ramires, Mikel, and Lampard. A Strike force of Drogba and Malouda will be ok. But Malouda should operate on the right side to provide the crosses so that Ivanovic deals with the right wing back. Ashely Cole will do the Attacking getting assistance from Lampard. A victory is certain. Good luck guys.

Posted by chelseaforlife on 05/08/2011

Chelsea will win this match scoring two goals. Drogba will open the scoring early in the match heading in the ball off a brilliant cross from David Luiz on the right wing.

Blue is the colour, football is the game
We're all together and winning is our aim
So cheer us on through the sun and rain
Cos Chelsea, Chelsea is our name.
KTBFFH

Posted by Uri on 05/08/2011

You can have your pride, United will take the title. Advantege 19 time champs.

Posted by Chuma on 05/11/2011

naturally the great correspondent has nothing more to write till next season starts. LOL!

Posted by Steven Gerrard on 05/11/2011

Up the reds!

Posted by lukas on 05/11/2011

waiting on your assessment of that awesome man utd victory on sunday :D

Posted by milzhouse on 05/12/2011

It is difficult to analyze Chelsea's season due to Roman's rule over the club. Some tactical changes through out the year were puzzling and I find it hard to believe that those changes were not influenced by the owner... Torres needs time and they should have never forced him into the starting line up especially when Didier was almost fully recovered from malaria. Likewise, why is Mikel playing along side Essien when Ramires is a better fit? It is obvious that Essien and Lampard have dipped in form permanently. Kaka would be a nice temporary replacement for Lampard but even Kaka is spiraling downward and at 29 he is not exactly a long term solution. If Essien’s knee recovers maybe he can rediscover his form… Luiz will grow at the back, but I think a swoop for Subotic is needed. We also need a creative winger/attacker as we have lacked that vital piece since Robben exited. This year really showed Chelsea's age and that needs to be addressed over the summer transfer market.

Posted by David on 05/14/2011

I wish Ancelotti will c this comment.He is the problem we have and should be sack with immediate effect.The players are gud no doubt, but there is no leader to lead the team. Meanwhile,Chelsea players and the club owner should send a letter to uncle,BABA JOSE MORIHO to return back to the team......no coach can use those players to win trophy.

Posted by Olawale A. on 09/07/2011

I'm a blue for life,registered,for that matter and i'm proud to be,but my fear with our beloved club is the over dependent on our oldies(Lampard,Drogba & Malouda)to win games which has cost us loosing out on our tittle defence last season.Now we have AVB,who is young and able to lead us back to the glory days,let us empower him and give him the chance to rebrand our beloved team by giving the young lads (Josh Mceachrean,Romelu Lukaku,Vanaaholt,Juan Mata)and co. the opportunity to break into the first XI and prove their worth,and show our rivals was we're made of.'Super Frank Lampard' should bow out since he's already made himself a hero and an idol before we'd start booing him cos he's always a minus one for us in big and crucial games. Long live Andres Villas-Baos,Long Live Chelsea Fans Club,Long Live Chelsea FC, NO CHELSEA, NO FOOTBALL

Posted by Olawale A. on 09/07/2011

THE CHELSEA OF MY DREAM
I'm dreaming of a Chelsea that would rub shoulders with the likes of Real Madrid, AC Milan,Liverpool and co in our trophy cabinet. Our topmost priority this season should not to be in a hurry to win trophies but to build a formidable team that can compete for honours both in England and in Europe next season.
THE CHELSEA SQUAD OF MY DREAM
KEEPER:Petr Cech
DEFENCE:Ivanovic, David Luiz, John Terry,Pepe
MIDFIELD:Moutinho,Luka Modric,Mikel Obi, Juan Mata
STRIKERS:Romelu Lukaku,Neymar,Fernando Torres
SUBSTITUTES DEFENCE:Perreira,Alex,Ashley Cole,Jeff Bruma
KEEPER:Joe Hart,Tiabout Courtious,Friedel
MIDFIELD:Ramires,Josh Mcaechrean,Mesut Oezil,Scott Parker,Raul Meireles.
ATTACKERS:Radamel Falcao,Daniel Sturridge,Dider Drogba,Hulk, Gonzalo Higuain.
LONG LIVE CHELSEA FC,LONG LIVE CHELSEA FANS CLUB,NO CHELSEA NO FOOTBALL. God bless us all - Amen

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