Chelsea far from final hurdle

IF CHELSEA fans, just a week ago, sat down to compile the arguments for and against their team winning the Premier League title in 2012, they would have found it a very lopsided list as they weighed up their chances.

But after three hugely important victories in succession, things are looking a whole lot brighter.

Andre Villas-Boas’ team won away at Newcastle, at home against Valencia to secure a place in the last 16 of the Champions League before Monday’s home victory against league leaders Manchester City.

Those results, and the surge of confidence that inevitably comes with them, has transformed the atmosphere at Stamford Bridge and transformed the landscape of the title race along with it.

So maybe it’s now the right time, in the style of Bridget Jones weighing up which romantic target to pursue, to draw up that list:

The arguments for a Chelsea title triumph

CONFIDENCE is rising in the squad, which is still made up of high quality players who have won the title before and now how to finish a season on a high.

Didier Drogba looks back to his very best, comfortable that he is Villas-Boas’ first choice striker.

Chelsea’s new deep-lying formation appears to be very difficult to break down, even for teams, such as City and Valencia, who enjoy long spells of possession.

John Terry’s form has improved dramatically in recent weeks and he looks more comfortable in the new formation.

Villas-Boas has flexed his muscles by dropping Frank Lampard and discarding Nicolas Anelka and Alex — ending any fears that, at 33, he was too young to command respect. He appears to have won his team over.

The Stamford Bridge crowd have been revitalised by recent events and were fully behind their team on Monday.

While Chelsea are no longer reliant on Lampard, the fact that he is not starting games should mean he will be full of energy for the run-in.

Roman Abramovich is willing to spend in January, particularly if he feels his team are title contenders.

The emergence of Oriol Romeu as a replacement for Mikel in front of the back four is a big plus for Chelsea, as is the form of Juan Mata, who provides a touch of magic from midfield; it was his second-half display that earned victory against City.

The arguments against a Chelsea title triumph

DIDIER DROGBA’S return to form has been the key to Chelsea’s revival but how long can they rely on him? Drogba heads for the African Cup of Nations in January and could be away for three weeks; already contract talks with the striker have stalled because he has only been offered one year and he wants two. He may not remain so motivated — and a sulking Drogba is virtually worthless, as Luiz-Felipe Scolari found out.

While Drogba is away — and, at 33, he is also prone to injury — Chelsea will have to rely on £50m misfit Fernando Torres who has only managed one goal all season.

Things may be rosy in the Chelsea camp right now after three wins in succession, but how fragile is that team spirit? Not all players are happy with the way Villas-Boas is running the club and many were upset at the way Anelka in particular was treated.

Lampard is unlikely to accept being left on the bench for too long and eventually that issue is going to come to a head.

John Terry may be returning to form but what happens if he is found guilty of racial abuse by police and loses the England captaincy? There could be bombshells ahead.

Chelsea performed well against Valencia but were outplayed for long spells by Man City, who did enough to win the game. They will still have to improve dramatically to win the title.

Villas-Boas seems to like tinkering with tactics but in his heart he wants to attack — and that has cost Chelsea dear at times this season. It could come back to haunt him again; especially as Jose Bosingwa and David Luiz are both liabilities in defence.

Chelsea may not spend as much as expected in January. Villas-Boas has hinted he isn’t looking for many new players and has ruled out a move for Tottenham’s Luka Modric, who would be a perfect signing

With Anelka and Alex on their way out, the Chelsea bench is looking thin. Malouda and Kalou have contributed little this season, so who else can come on to win a tight match?

Man City may have lost at Stamford Bridge but they are still strong favourites for the title and have by far the better squad; they are still seven points ahead of Chelsea.

Conclusion

CHELSEA’S title chances have certainly been improved by their unexpected triumph against City and the victory has opened up the race not only for themselves but for almost all of the top six; but do they really have enough to finish top?

The number of potential problems that lie ahead are just too many and some of the arguments on the ‘against’ list are just too strong to ignore.

Biggest of all is the is the absence of Drogba in January when he heads to the African Cup of Nations. The tournament begins on January 21 and ends on February 12 and when you take into consideration travelling time and pre-tournament training camps, it amounts to almost a month away.

That period also includes a crunch fixture against Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on February 5; not a game to face without your most important striker. So Chelsea’s title race may have been reinvigorated for Christmas but it will take an awful lot of work to keep it that way for Easter.