Chelsea FC: Can the Blues Run Away with the Premier League?
Before we begin, constituting what "running away with the league" means seems paramount.
There is no clear-cut definition, but for the purposes of this article—and hopefully our posterity—the scenario could be explained as follows: "A side has ‘run away with their league’ should a distance of at least 10 points exist between them and the runners-up come season’s end."
Obviously the mathematics may deceive historians on occasion, but should a team win their domestic league by an apparent four-game margin, it stands to reason they deserve the attribute.
TOP NEWS
Madrid Fines Players $590K 😲
'Mbappé Out' Petition Gaining Steam 😳
Star-Studded World Cup Ad 🤩
At the risk of premature prognostication, the question: "Can Chelsea run away with the Premier League?" appears a reasonable one at present.
The only Premier League side boasting a 100 percent record, Jose Mourinho has the makings of a title-winning side in his dressing room, but just how convincing might the Blues be?
Last season Chelsea fell five points short of capturing the league outright. Despite this, the west Londoners did not lose to eventual champions Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham or Manchester United—their only loss against 2013/14's top seven came at Goodison Park to Everton.
Chelsea goofed last season with their inability to put away mid-to-lower-table opposition. Losing to Stoke City, Sunderland, Crystal Palace, Aston Villa and Newcastle United, were those matches anything but losses, the Premier League trophy would have been Stamford Bridge bound.
Fortune, though, conspired against the Blues and they finished third.
Using yesteryear's campaign to spot imperfections in his squad, Mourinho addressed three areas of need this summer transfer window: Bolstering his full-back depth with Filipe Luis, obtaining midfield-playmaker Cesc Fabregas and acquiring a centre-forward worth his EPL salt in Diego Costa.
Luis has yet to start a match, but with games coming quick, fast and in a hurry, the Brazilian is sure to receive his chance at left-back.
The two Spaniards, on the other hand, have burst from their starting blocks like Usain Bolt: Fabregas producing six assists in four starts and Costa scoring seven goals over the same time frame.
"Torres, in 110 #EPL games w/ #CFC, scored 20 goals. At his current rate, Costa would score 192 goals in 110 matches. Won't happen, but...
— ChelseaTALK (@_ChelseaTALK) September 15, 2014"
Chelsea, while not infallible (as witnessed during the first half vs. Swansea City on Saturday), do appear vastly improved from the previous rendition, as their chief scourge from last year—barren centre-forwards—appears rectified.
So where does this leave Mourinho’s 2014/15 outlook?
You would be hard pressed finding an objective thinker who does not have Chelsea in the title race, but finding individuals willing to assert the Blues will dominate the Premier League is another matter altogether.
Over the past 11 seasons, three sides have won the Premier League by more than 10 points:
"#EPL Winning Margin (PTS) 2013/14—2 2012/13—11 2011/12—GD 2010/11—9 2009/10—1 2008/09—4 2007/08—2 2006/07—6 2005/06—8 2004/05—12 2003/04—11
— ChelseaTALK (@_ChelseaTALK) September 15, 2014"
Sir Alex Ferguson taking 2012/13's version of Manchester United (28W-5D-5L) and beating the nearest side by 11 points was arguably the best managerial performance in Premier League history—only rivalled by the past decade’s other two “runaways.”
In 2003/04, Arsenal did something unseen since Preston North End in 1888/89 by ending their domestic league unbeaten (26W-12D-0L). The following year—in his inaugural English season—Mourinho managed a renovated Chelsea club to their first league title in 50 years, losing one match (29W-8D-1L) and conceding a meagre 15 goals.
Ten years later, after leaving then returning, Mourinho again finds himself at the helm of another renovation project in west London—one appearing to fire on all cylinders.
Should Chelsea run away with the 2014/15 Premier League, they need three things to transpire.
Firstly, the Blues must maintain functional balance in attack and defence.
While rampaging to score goals with new toys Fabregas and Costa, Mourinho's squad must retain the miserly component which saw them finish third last season: The likes of Nemanja Matic and Willian being essential components in that effort.
Secondly, key players must avoid major injuries.
As a deep squad full of internationals, the item of health is rarely broached, but should Costa's hamstring(s) or an unforeseen knock to Eden Hazard or Fabregas render them sidelined—while still capable of winning the title—Chelsea breaking away from other clubs would be improbable.
Last, and most importantly, the Blues must continue their impressive record against equitable opposition.
A "six-pointer" is commonplace vernacular during relegation scraps, but they likewise exist at the other end of proceedings. Chelsea play their first six-pointer Sunday vs. Manchester City.
Managers would have the public believe fixtures before March mean virtually nothing—but we know better: Three points in September are just as valuable as three points in May; Chelsea beating City would create an eight-point gap between the title favourites.
In an era of big spending and would-be parity, many have dismissed the notion singular sides can separate themselves from the contending pack, and in most cases this is true.
At present Aston Villa, Swansea City and Southampton are qualifying for Europe. Normal individuals would advice caution when observing such things and wait for additional data—Chelsea are much the same.
Nevertheless, Villa, Swansea and Southampton regressing to the mean is almost guaranteed; Chelsea, however, will be favoured in every Premier League match from hereon and have no mean to regress towards.
As such, Chelsea's ability to run away with the English top flight will be determined—not only by their fitness, tactical balance and head-to-head battles—but the challenge lobbied from clubs outside their control.
If the likes of Manchester City, Arsenal or Liverpool cannot match Chelsea's weekly output, regardless of heavyweight clashes, John Terry will undoubtedly be lofting silverware come season’s end.
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
