Who Needs Jose Mourinho ????

A quick glance at the Premiership table today shows Manchester United and Arsenal neck-and-neck at the top of the table. However, the idea that it's now a two-horse race has been thrown firmly in to doubt by Avram Grant’s rejuvenated Chelsea.



It is to Grant’s immense credit that he's managed to avoid the realisation of the predictions of impending doom and the ‘end of an era’ that came with the sudden exit of Jose Mourinho in September. As we enter the second half of the season, the Blues are well positioned in third place in the Premiership, only four points behind this season’s pace-setters. Chelsea have crept on to the coat tails of the leaders, and seem to be clawing their way back in to the title fight with more vigour each week.

One of the key reasons for this would seem to be the sheer, dogged determination that still characterises the Chelsea team. This will to win, most dramatically instilled in to the Chelsea squad under Jose Mourinho, seems to have been channelled just as effectively by Grant since he took over the job.

Indeed, after a lacklustre defeat to Manchester United in his opening match, Chelsea have not looked back. From week to week, the Blues have moved from fixture to fixture, exerting the maximum effort, and extracting as many points as possible. This approach have seen the team possess the best away record in the Premiership, with their most recent road game at Fulham showing the team coming back from an early goal to eventually win the game thanks to a Michael Ballack penalty.

Most importantly, the incredible undefeated home run at Stamford Bridge that began under Claudio Ranieri has been increased to over 70 games by Avram Grant. During this time, the Blues have recorded important home victories against the likes of Tottenham, Newcastle, West Ham, and most remarkably Manchester City, who were on the end of a 6-0 in October.

The machine-like regularity that is Chelsea’s approach to the game contrasts most vividly with the attacking verve and creativity that flows through Manchester United and Arsenal. However, this has its benefits. While the words ‘fragility’ and ‘Arsenal’ are still linked together by some, these are terms that cannot be applied to Chelsea. Indeed, the belief that exists within the Chelsea camp that Arsenal especially can be caught was shown this past week by captain John Terry when he stated, "Arsenal are still up there, but I can just see them slipping away a bit."

Indeed, the efficient Chelsea style, often derided by critics and opposing fans as being far too boring, may prove the more effective challenge to Manchester United come the season’s end. As such, it remains a question for the future as to when the attractive football promised by Grant upon his unveiling as Chelsea manager will emerge.

Another reason to expect a strong second half of the season from the Blues will be the fact that they have managed to remain in the title race during the kind of injury crisis that would sink most teams. During the last few months the treatment table at Stamford Bridge has resembled a ‘who’s who’ of world football, with players of the calibre of Michael Ballack, Frank Lampard, John Terry, Ashley Cole, Petr Cech, Didier Drogba, Florent Malouda, Wayne Bridge, Claude Makelele, Ricardo Carvalho and Joe Cole facing long spells on the sidelines, yet Chelsea have come through it.

What's more, the withdrawal of John Obi-Mikel, Michael Essien, Salomon Kalou, and Didier Drogba to the African Cup of Nations will also place similar strains on the Chelsea squad. As these players come available for selection again, a significant boost will be given to Chelsea’s ever-present challenge for honours on all fronts.

Another important factor in Chelsea’s season is the fact that whilst Jose Mourinho may have left, Roman Abramovich and his billions of roubles did not. The effects of this have already seen a depleted squad being boosted by the £15million capture of the enigmatic Nicolas Anelka, and the £9million signing of Serbian utility defender, Branislav Ivanovic. The prospect of Anelka and Drogba forming an explosive strike partnership after the Ivorian returns from the African Cup of Nations is an exciting one for all CHelsea fans.

With title rivals Manchester United, Arsenal, and Liverpool all still to come to Stamford Bridge in the coming months, the belief within the Chelsea ranks that the Premiership can be reclaimed is based firmly in reality. As such, an exciting, three-way battle for the title between Arsenal, Manchester United, and Chelsea is one that can be expected to be fought out until the very end of the season.

Source Goal.com