The Problem with Chelsea and Why They Could Still Win the Title

Roman Abramovich is the problem at Chelsea.

Since the Russian's corrupt oil money bought the club, Chelsea has been a dominant force in the Premier League, second only to Manchester United.  

Abramovich's message has been clear: Win first, worry about consequences later.  

Abramovich poured millions of his own cash into the club and found immediate success, but he is finding the going a bit tougher recently.

One of the Russian's first moves was to hire Jose Mourinho as manager.  Mourinho is the best manager in the world, and also the most controversial manager in the world.  The "chosen one" developed a pompous cockiness and arrogance that is unmatched among the rest of the world's best managers in the world.  

Mourinho won two league titles and established Chelsea as a dominant force in European football, but he was sacked after much-publicized differences with the owner Abramovich and a home draw against Rosenborg in the Champions League Group stage. Since his departure, however, the Blues have spiraled downward.  

Ancelotti is the fourth manager to take over the club in the past two years.  Avraam Grant was fired after John Terry slipped and missed the Champions League winning penalty in 2008.  Luis Felipe Scolari was hired, and then sacked within six months.  Guus Hiddink took control of the club but then stepped down to coach Russia in the World Cup Qualifiers, which led to the eventual hiring of Ancelotti.

Ancelotti, like most Chelsea managers blessed with the best squad in the world, found immediate success.  The John Terry/Wayne Bridge saga has derailed the league leaders, who arguably have been the most dominant team in the Premier League but now find themselves only a point ahead of Man United and three ahead of Arsenal—a team they have dominated this season both home and away.

But the Terry/Bridge saga is just another brick in Chelsea's unethical wall.

Since Abramovich took over, he has transformed Chelsea into an winning machine.  But long gone are the days of Gianfranco Zola and people fancying Chelsea as their second favorite club.

Ashley Cole was tapped up from Arsenal illegally.  The England left-back met with Chelsea officials and negotiated with Chelsea while he was still under contract with their London rivals.  John Obi Mikel was tapped up from Manchester United in much the same way.

The Gael Katuka transfer saga almost landed the Blues a two-year transfer ban.  Adrian Mutu was arrested with cocaine and eventually left the club in disgrace.  Didier Drogba, the club's best striker, frequently flops and flails and has gained a reputation as one of the worst divers in England.  

Chelsea players have learned: "Win first, worry later," and the Terry/Bridge fiasco is just another example.  

John Terry, as the captain of England and the captain of Chelsea, was given a responsibility and a duty to behave more professionally than any other player on his team.  He failed at that duty.  

As Wayne Bridge's best friend, he should have had a moral conflict not to do what he did. 

What has happened to Chelsea's morals?

Abramovich's win-first mentality has transformed the club and the players with it, and John Terry's only the most recent example.  Man City's recent 4-2 victory at Stamford Bridge is just another example of a team taking it up another notch because they have something to fight for.  How was Chelsea supposed to fight for their despicable captain?

The Blues' recent skid could very well be a result of the Terry/Bridge headlines, but there is a more probable solution to their problems, and he is one of the best players in the world.

His name is Michael Essien.  

Essien is the best holding midfielder in the world.  Every Premier League club spends each transfer window searching the world for a defensive midfielder to add to their club, except for Chelsea.  In Essien the Blues have one of the most ferocious and skilled players in the world, and the best at his position.

The likes of Alex Song, Darren Fletcher, and Javier Mascherano are the rest of the Big Four's answer to Essien.  But while all three are good players, none can hold a candle to the Ghanaian.

Essien's recent injury has led to Chelsea losses.  They sorely miss his muscle in midfield.

Last season, had Essien not suffered a serious injury, Scolari may never have been sacked.  The Ghanaian's wondervolley against Barcelona in the Champions League was a perfect example of that extra bit of quality Chelsea lacked all year, and his health this season has undoubtedly played a vital role in the club's early success.  

But his most recent injury has coincided with Terry's tabloid problem, and Chelsea have let the rest of the league catch up to them.  

Make no mistake, without Essien, Chelsea is half the team it can be.  When he regains fitness, Chelsea will swiftly become the unstoppable force that dominated Arsenal at the Emirates.

It would be a mistake to look only at Chelsea's recent form and write them off the title, as many people have.  When Essien returns, so will Chelsea.