Andy Carroll Comments on Chelsea's Relegation Prospects

The critics are queuing up at Stamford Bridge following Chelsea's fall from grace this season, and West Ham United striker Andy Carroll believes relegation "is on the cards" for the reigning Premier League champions.

Carroll admitted to Sky Sports that while "it's hard to think" of the Blues making the drop down to the Championship, it can't be ruled out for a club that currently "can't string a pass together":

"

It is tough to actually realise that they are such a good team, with quality players, and who spent so much money on those players - they just can't string a pass together at the minute.

[...]

It is hard to think Chelsea could be in the bottom three at the end of the season. But the way they are going, I don't see why they can't get relegated. I think it's on the cards.

"

BBC Sport reporter Phil McNulty confirmed on Wednesday that Chelsea's board is discussing the future of manager Jose Mourinho in the wake of Monday evening's 2-1 defeat to leaders Leicester City.

That result leaves Chelsea without a win in their last three Premier League matches and just a singe point from the relegation zone coming up to the campaign's halfway mark.

The west London giants face an end-of-year run-in that could alter their season drastically, hosting Sunderland and top-flight new boys Watford before travelling to Manchester United before the close of 2015.

ESPN's John Brewin recently highlighted their drop from seeing the likes of Manchester City, Arsenal and United as direct competition, with struggling Newcastle United now considered closer rivals in terms of table position:

Carroll's comments will be particularly hurtful for the Blues after he came off the bench to bag the winner for his side in West Ham's 2-1 win over Mourinho's men in October, his only goal of the season so far.

Non-League Paper reporter Sam Elliott surmised that while Chelsea's downfall doesn't speak well of the overall quality in England, it only enhances the Premier League's reputation as the world's most entertaining league:

Carroll had a previous run-in with the Chelsea support this season after Adam Shergold of the Daily Mail reported a drunken Blues fan clashed with the injury-ravaged forward following the Hammers' triumph.

While the title-holders are struggling for any form at present, Slaven Bilic's West Ham sit just five points off the top four and have been tipped as potential contenders for a European finish this season.

Matt Dunham/Associated Press

The money spent on transfers at Stamford Bridge makes relegation hard to envision for a club that won the Champions League just three-and-a-half years ago and claimed last season's Premier League so convincingly.

However, the longer Chelsea's logic-defying search for points continues, the closer they come to being considered genuine candidates for the drop to England's second tier.