by Joe Tyler
The next two games are huge for Chelsea, and not for the sole reason of getting points on the board.
Season-defining periods can often be overhyped as it is assumed that the teams that you lose to will pull away and build up a head of steam. With Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester City no friends to consistency, and Manchester United comfortably plodding but unexciting, this doesn’t look too likely.
It is not in Chelsea’s interests to give their rivals the chance of a nine-point lead, but with the transfer window approaching, their match on Sunday, and the following one against Arsenal, could determine whether they strengthen their squad for what could be a tricky pursuit. Their depth of quality is not huge, and with injuries to key players a regular occurrence this season, the next two games will either lead to a swallowing hard of early season principles and a spending spree, or a continuous trust in raw youth as back up.
Sir Alex Ferguson spoke this week of Chelsea’s slow-burning policy of developing young players as contributing to their slump, which has yielded just one win in nine in all competitions (against MSK Zilina). He has a point. The injury-prone and inconsistent trio of Michael Ballack, Joe Cole and Juliano Belletti were released in the summer, while Deco and Ricardo Carvalho also moved on. They have been replaced, effectively, with one signing – Ramires – though Yossi Benayoun also came in, but may not reach full-fitness again this season. Danny Sturridge and Josh McEachran have flickered in rare outings, and are popular, but are clearly not ready to be regulars in a title-challenging side.
This Chelsea side is at a crossroads. John Terry (30) is still a force, but injury had contributed to an early season dip in form, and he hasn’t looked as formidable as in previous years. Anelka (31), Drogba (32), Lampard (32) and Malouda (30), 75 goals between them last season, just 19 so far this. Lampard’s return on Sunday, to bolster midfield alongside Essien (who, at 28, is only senior to Mikel and Ivanovic in the likely line-ups), is perfectly timed.
United have not won at Stamford Bridge since a 3-0 victory in 2002. Despite being the league’s top scorers, this side is more solid, workman like, and similar to Mourinho’s Chelsea in their system. Carrick, Anderson and Fletcher are a trio of energy and discipline, unlike previous United midfields in which Paul Scholes was an automatic choice. As a result of this, a criticism of this side has been a lack of creativity – but Nani is the league’s top assist maker, with ten. The Portuguese’ new-found reliability has been a huge bonus for United this season, and comparisons to Cristiano Ronaldo are warranted.
The ten game run of the league’s best central defensive partnership, Vidic and Ferdinand, has lead to a period of just seven goals being conceded. However, credit must be paid to Rafael, who has kept two of the league’s players of the season, Gareth Bale and Samir Nasri, exceptionally quiet. This defence is sure to be given its sternest test since it has been at full-strength though, and certainly more so than the feeble efforts of Arsenal on Monday.
Having beaten Arsenal, the visitors would take a draw at the Bridge. They can afford to play 4-5-1, be cautious, and utilise Nani and Rooney’s pace on the break. But with Chelsea’s first choice front six on the field for the first time since the third game of the season (by which point they had scored 14 goals and conceded none) it is sure to be the biggest test of their unbeaten record. If they don’t, there is always January to launch a recovery.
Sunday’s game has now been cancelled.