EPL: Is Chelsea FC Really Behind Avram Grant?

One of the most notable scrums, in the match itself, was the incident between Michael Ballack and Didier Drogba, perhaps a scene that symbolized the internal damage that may still exist within Chelsea, even as they prepare to challenge for the domestic and continental titles.

From an outsider prospective, it was a type of conflict that you would have expected out of ten-year-old boys arguing over a favorite toy or a piece of candy. Nobody wants to back down—and in the end, nobody really ends up winning.

It was a situation between two players who put their own personal glory ahead of a club desperately trying to get a result. Ballack and Drogba were both standing over a free kick with neither of them willing to budge. Both of them wanted to be the man that sent Chelsea supporters into celebration.

The clash of egos was the last thing Chelsea could have afforded at a time like that, but with so much at stake, Ballack was finally forced away by fellow teammates as he allowed Drogba to proceed with his free kick.

Even after Drogba had already taken the kick, he continued to lash out at Ballack and Steve Clarke, in what looked to be a disgraceful situation. Teammates continued to plead in their efforts to calm their cultured hitman down as their manager watched continued to watch the fallout in silence.

After a situation like the one in the Chelsea-Manchester United match, it begs the question: if Chelsea were to stumble or falter in their quests for the double, would the unity still be intact at Stamford Bridge?

At times, it seems as if some of the players don't respect Grant's decisions: whether they be tactical or even with the words being exchanged throughout the matches.

And if Grant is to restore order during this crucial two-week stretch to the end of the season, he'll have to address these issues that could be plaguing the unity.

Personal clashes and egos, like the Ballack-Drogba controversy, will need to be avoided if Chelsea are to pull together and win the trophies they desire. There should be nothing more important than the club's overall success and anything less than that just simply can't be tolerated.

Because after all, with so many rumors of personality clashes behind closed doors and potential moves to other clubs across Europe, nothing can be really certain at a club that has been in turmoil and controversy for parts of the season.

Didier Drogba hasn't made it much of a secret that he intends to move on at season's end to either AC or Inter Milan.

Frank Lampard has been at the center of discussion towards a move to Italy after failing to sign a new contract with the club. Michael Essien, Ricardo Carvalho, and Shaun Wright-Phillips have all had media speculation surrounding their futures with Chelsea.

With recent success at Chelsea, Avram Grant might just be experiencing his honeymoon period with the club after driving his club back into strong recent run of form.

But that could all go away within a blink of an eye.

It only takes a slip-up or two, in times like these.

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?