Club Focus - Chelsea - International duty provided no rest bite for Blues.
Losing three of their last five games suggests the team is underperforming, but an array of talent that were lacklustre on international duty sees a wave of blame that can be placed solely on the players.
John Terry’s post accusation form has been uninspiring at best - largely at fault for the opening Milan goal last Wednesday amongst a number of notable mistakes in the recent Premier League fixtures, it seems a rest as short as Valentine’s Day is yet to be justified. It appears the player is yet to recover from his media mauling and a lengthy leave of absence could be the only solution to save an otherwise deteriorating career. Possibly melodramatic, but wide scale hatred and an impossible task of regaining dressing room respect could see an early retirement for the European Defender of the Year. The depleted Chelsea captain is failing to drive his team on at a crucial time in the season and on the contrary Wayne Rooney’s emphatic form is likely to incite Premier League winning form from his Manchester colleagues. A turn at the top is on the agenda unless a character from the Stamford dressing room emerges in the approaching weeks.
Frank Lampard was a poor performer for England in mid-week and it seems his half time omission from the team was the catalyst for a fighting comeback. Once excluded, Steven Gerrard began to dominate - owning the midfield with grace and determination. The England captain had the luxury of assurance to aid in his game, knowing Michael Carrick’s positional discipline would counter-act Gerrard’s naturally inclined attacking motives the midfielder was able to bring the wide assets of James Milner and Shaun Wright-Phillips into proceedings. The ex-Chelsea winger crucially scored England’s turn around goal at 2-1 although his efforts were not congratulated by Terry - as for the first time International discomfort was on show amongst the ranks. With their England duo not performing and a make-shift defence in place, Didier Drogba’s role in the team has become that bit more significant. If the Ivorian striker can convert and create all that is thrown his way, Chelsea can fend off the challenge of United and Arsenal. However a series of poor performances from the Blue’s key man up top could destruct an already ticking time bomb.
The usually potent finisher was out-marked by a superb Lucio at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza and the player regardless of a few efforts was again abysmal when Manchester City inflicted defeat on the Londoners. FA Cup returns this week and with a more than feasible chance of silverware, Chelsea will need the aerial presence of Terry, Ricardo Carvalho and Branislav Ivanovic to nullify Stokes obvious threats in front of goal. Flourent Malouda may continue at left-back in the absence of Ashley Cole and it will be vital the Frenchman avoids diving in, as set-pieces will fail to go unpunished against an efficient Tony Pulis establishment. The Stoke side has been carefully manufactured to disrupt the ‘bigger’ sides, with physicality often a strong feature of their unorthodox style. The footballing sides like Arsenal and Tottenham have often struggled to cope against the brute force of the Potters.
Chelsea may also struggle this week without the presence of suspended Michael Ballack and long term absentee Michael Essien in the middle of the park. Their physical attributes are necessary in counter acting that of Stoke and their omission will be strongly felt this Sunday. A defence consisting of fringe players may therefore struggle with Petr Cech, Jose Bosingwa, Ashley Cole, Michael Essien, Juliano Belletti and a distorted Terry causing concern at the back. Chelsea may feel attack is the best form of defence this weekend with Drogba and Anelka essential to acquiring silverware and meeting pre-season ambitions. Chelsea should be focused at the Bridge, and although suffering their first home defeat of the season last week was a clear blow, a similar result would see the Blue’s plummet out of the most highly regarded national cup competition.
With their Champions League future in doubt after Mourinho’s men will take the advantage to the second leg and their Premier League form slipping of late, the FA Cup is clearly the Londoners best opportunity of securing silverware this year.
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