Chelsea F.C. in Need of Hip Replacement Soon?

All of us who remember the behemoth that was Chelsea's title winning seasons, especially the one loss season, will surely be wondering why there hasn't been a repeat of the "Almost Invincibles." 

Perhaps their attempts to throw more star power into a system that was already working, or their inability to hold down a coach, or the fact that they just don't have what it takes anymore, has become very disconcerting to anyone cheering for the Blues.

What may have become even scarier are the gray hairs that are surely showing on most of their starting line-up.  With an average age of about 28 and the only young players who have made first team impact so far being Obi Mikel (22) and Salomon Kalou (24), surely something weighing heavily into Ancelotti's mind is the necessity for young blood. 

The lack of a youth program like Manchester United's or Liverpool's, or the keen eye for youth that Arsene Wenger possesses, will be a key regret to Chelsea if they are unable to recapture old glories, and soon.

If Ancelotti does not add anyone else to this Chelsea squad that is younger than 28, we may see a mad scramble to maintain top four form within the next few years, or we may be privy to yet another mad spending spree to make even Man City jealous.

Despite the obvious concern with the growing age of this team, there are several bright spots and things for all the Chelsea faithful to grab onto.  Petr Cech, the madman between the sticks, is only 27 and Michael Essien (26) seems to just be reaching his prime.  There is also the hope that a healthy Joe Cole (28) could continue to provide great play from the right side for several years to come.  Let's also not forget that it is not uncommon to see the brightest stars in soccer to continue well into their late 30's playing in top tier leagues. 

The biggest question here is if enough of them will stick around once they reach 33-plus. 

It is also not beyond their grasp to win the league this year or even soon after with most people forgetting how close they finished behind L'pool and Man U. at the end of last season.  Chelsea had enough points to usually win the league in an average year, but fell just short of the league winners and Liverpool.  If Chelsea can steal a few wins during the season from their confrontations with the "Big 4" then they have a very legitimate shot at winning more than just the FA Cup.

Despite any shortcomings or successes that may be on the horizon for Ancelotti's side, there is one thing that burns deep within the heart of every Chelsea player, perhaps  brighter than a desire to win the league. They want the Champions' League trophy.

To bring ol' "big-ears" home would not only silence critics but would possibly give this squad the needed boost to continue to press for league honors.  Remember when Liverpool had just gotten Rafa and hadn't won anything recently?  They won the CL and went on to swipe a treble that season...perhaps the same could be true for Chelsea. 

Why could this have such a big impact you ask?  Because to lose heart-breakers in the same tournament (PK's to Man U in the final and Iniesta's last second shot in the semi's just to name a few) is surely disheartening and with every major English team possessing a cheer that pokes fun at Chelsea's lack of the European crown, morale isn't going to get much higher until that trophy sits in London.

So what do they need?  They need Ancelotti to step in and bring this team together and push them like the stars that they are.  He also needs to make sure that he maintains some semblance of a good public image, or else he'll slowly go the way of the past coaches—even Hiddink wasn't staying after winning a major trophy—so Ancelotti needs something big to keep his job.

He also needs to find some way to bring Lampard back to the form that had everyone saying that he was the best English midfielder, even over Gerrard and Beckham.  Lampard has become a mere shadow of his early decade form and could be the push that Chelsea needs to go from No. 3 to No. 1.

What are we going to see this year from the Blues?  Anything.

We could see anything from a Chelsea multi-trophy season, to Chelsea finishing a disappointing fourth.  (But for me, as long as someone keeps those money tossing citizens out of the top four—then its been a good season) 

Come on Chelsea: Let's see something you can brag about in the old folk's home in a few years.  I'd hate for Alan Shearer to make fun of you while playing shuffleboard.