Chelsea's Avram Grant: Not to be taken for Grant-ed

Avram Grant has been in the Chelsea hot seat for nearly five months now, and it seems the jury is still out, but this may be harsh on the Israeli.

After all, he has, in his first 29 games in charge, matched Jose Mourinho’s record stride for stride, having lost only two matches, and in the process equaling Mourinho’s record of nine consecutive victories.

Grant has impressed so many within the game that, despite the red-hot form of Manchester United and Arsenal, Chelsea are still within striking distance.

The recent form of the Blues has even prompted Sir Alex Ferguson to say he believes his United side will have to go the rest of the campaign undefeated in order to secure the title.

This may seem a strong statement, but there is certainly some sense to it.

Grant’s side is still very much in the hunt, and with both Arsenal and United still to visit Stamford Bridge, Chelsea has every reason to be positive.  

Also, when you look at the stats, Chelsea should not be written off.

The Blues have conceded only 17 goals this season, only United has a tighter defense, and Chelsea and United are also the top two on clean sheets.

This, added with the way Grant has restored the steel to the team’s mentality, means the title is certainly not a two horse race just yet.

The recent victories at Wigan in the FA Cup, Everton in the Carling Cup and Birmingham in the Premier League are fine examples of how Grant has made Chelsea hard to beat again.

In the dark days at the end of the Mourinho era, the Blues could be exposed by sides that got their tackles in.

These days, however, Chelsea is full of fight again. The recent victories have evoked memories of the better days under Mourinho when Chelsea didn’t have a weakness. They could outplay teams, and outfight them.

Crucially though, the one problem that arguably cost Chelsea the title last year has been corrected. The squad size.

Mourinho was convinced a small squad of around 20-24 players was enough.

However, over the Christmas period and beyond last season, the injury crisis at the club left Micheal Essien and Paulo Ferreira at centre back.

Now, Alex, Belletti and Co. have been brought in and suddenly there is strength in depth.

Even with Terry and Lampard out injured, and a string of players away at the African Cup of Nations, Chelsea has still powered on, and it looks set to continue with many of the missing set to return in the coming weeks.

So, for Chelsea to overhaul the sides in red above them, all they need to do is carry on as they are, and the championship may still be returning to Stamford Bridge in May.