Chelsea vs Stoke | 25-Apr-2010 @ 16:00 UK

This has been a very special season so far.

None of the contenders, Chelsea included, are playing like champions. The most champions would be, as always, the team that ends up with maximum points, and if need be, with maximum goal difference.

We may not have a champion that has played like champions all season. Not Chelsea, not Manchester United.

The manner in which Chelsea succumbed to Wigan, Man City, and Tottenham. It’s not about the defeats. It’s not very easy to be an undefeated champion. Chelsea of 2004-05 almost achieved but for a 1-0 defeat against Man City due to a penalty (which was converted by Anelka then).

In my view, Chelsea’s performance in 2004-05 was the most champion-esque performance since the inception of the premier league. After all, the 95 points that we amassed is still an English record.

If you look at the champions of the premier league this decade, the winners of this season would be right at the bottom.

Well, you can attribute this to the improving competition levels in the premier league, the emergence of Man City, stability at Tottenham, Aston Villa’s charge, etc. But if you look at the statistics of the winner this decade (below) you’ll see that the champions of this season could be one of the least imposing.

For this season 2009-10, I’ve just created two scenarios—one for Chelsea and one for Man Utd—assuming both win all the remaining three matches with a net goal difference of four goals.

Certainly, Chelsea might have been the best of the lot this season so far and that’s why they’re sitting on top both on points and on goal difference. Chelsea have been outplayed quite a few times this season and you can say that for Man Utd too.

Also, Chelsea have been absolutely spectacular on many occasions. It is the contrast in these two statements that is very untypical of champions. We have not been consistent enough.

Luckily, in a season where no one wants to win the title, you can afford to be inconsistent because you’re at least more consistent than the other teams. If we had taken our opportunities and had been a bit more consistent, we should have won the title by now. But still, we are the best team in England this season—so far.

To face Stoke City at home is probably one of the better fixtures you can expect at this stage.

This season, very disappointingly, we have lost matches even while we had the momentum on our side. Also, we have come back strongly from every defeat this season. It is for this reason, and that all that we need to do is to win three more matches, I think Chelsea would do well and beat Stoke City at home.

Also, we happen to meet a side who will have no more specific ambitions for this season than trying to finish as high as possible or attempt a top half finish. They are neither fighting to save relegation nor aspiring for the Europa league spot. That doesn’t mean they can be taken lightly but at least they won’t throw bodies like if they have to save their club from relegation.

In a match where long throws would be a threat, we are missing John Terry due to his one-match suspension. To our horror, our poor defending of throw-ins have cost us crucial goals this season. In fact, those throw-ins weren’t half as dangerous as the Delap ones.

But we have a big reason to smile. Ashley Cole could make a come back this Sunday after his long injury break during which his wife split with him and there were rumours of Chelsea fining him and his desire to submit a transfer request.

In my view, he is the best left back in Europe and we must keep him. It will be great to see him back on the pitch. While I’m thrilled about his return, I must say that our stand-in full backs have just been brilliant in the absence of the regulars.

Zhirkov, while he is not Ashley Cole, has been in superb form with his attacking instincts and has played a key role in some of our wins during this period. I still want to see Zhirkov on the pitch, on the left midfield or in the left wing.

To have Ashley Cole as the left back, Zhirkov as the left midfielder, and Malouda as the left winger, we might have the strongest left side in the country.

Mikel won’t be playing due to a knee problem. With the news of Essien not making a return this season, Ballack has to be at his best in the next three games. You might know that I’m a fan of this man, Michael Ballack, but he has churned out some poor efforts this season and also have given some subtle performances going about his role quietly. Now that he knows that just three wins are between him and his first league champions’ medal since he left Munich, I’m sure he will give his all.

Drogba is doubtful for this match. I would hope that we don’t risk him if he is half-fit or something. He is a player who can come in after 70 minutes and still make a telling contribution. And with Anelka as the lone striker, we have done rather well and the truckloads of goals are a testimony to this.

The results of last weekend have really shaken up the Chelsea team. Until last Friday, Chelsea were champions-to-be. What happened last weekend has given Chelsea probably the last wake up call needed this season.

We’ve got to a stage where we just need to notch three wins without caring about what other teams do—and we can win the title. No other team is in a position to say this. The only thing that needs to stay in mind until this Sunday is, "beat Stoke City."

Just forget about anything else. Forget about injuries, resting, suspensions, etc.—just beat Stoke City.

While we don’t need to worry about what Man Utd does, a favourable result for us in their match against Spurs would just be the one last shift of momentum in this title race. I’m sure, in the relative current form, Spurs can certainly get a point or three from Old Trafford. They owe at least this much to a fellow London team especially after upsetting us last weekend.

Here’s to a Chelsea win with a 2-0 scoreline. I expect a 2-2 draw at Old Trafford.

Ilya Zakharov, the editor-in-chief of the club’s official Russian language website, passed away last week at the age of 27. Our thoughts are with his family. May his soul rest in peace. A league title win would be most fitting tribute we can pay to this true blue. Here is a stanza from his favourite rock band Queen:

"

We are the champions—my friends
And we’ll keep on fighting—till the end
We are the champions
We are the champions
No time for losers
‘Cause we are the champions—of the world

"

Let’s give it one big final push for Ilya! Let’s keep the blue flag flying high.