BlueLion.

Its true though. Mourinho left because he was fed up of Abramovich, and who can blame him? I know he is solely responsible for our success, but I'm starting to get fed up with him as well.

I see your point and agree with you on a number of points. I think that a move to Italy would see Mikel blossom, but similarly we have a 23 year old midfielder who could develop over the next five years into a player as good as Claude Makelele. Because Mikel has been around for such a long period of time, people forget just how young he is. This is a player who can play potentially for another 12 or 13 years and become a true great for this club, and as such there is still a long way to go before the player can tap into his full potential. Mikel still has a lot to offer and whilst a move to Italy (where the football is slower-paced and the space is greater) could speed up his development, we have (as you quite rightly say) a true gem who can become a star for this club. I actually agree with your second point, however. At this moment he almost seems a spare part because of Essien, who since moving to Chelsea has been converted to a holding player. Mikel has experienced the same, whereas both are naturally more attacking-minded. Whilst I believe there is a lovely discipline about Mikel - like Makelele he will never over-commit to an attack - Essien is, in my eyes, no longer the same player in terms of making lung-bursting runs up the pitch. Its as if he has become more conservative in his style of play since his two serious injuries over the past two years. In my eyes, our midfield should be Frank, Ramires, and then either Mikel OR Essien. Possibly both against the likes of United, City, and Arsenal where we require midfield discipline. However when we are playing against Stoke at home, for instance, we do not need two holding midfielders and as such our attacks are becoming undermined by a lack of midfield support. So yes, at this point, someone like Hamsik or a winger like Michel Bastos could be a great acquisition, but I find that the only change we need to make right now is to play either Mikel OR Essien, and at this moment in time it has to be the latter since Mikel is nursing an injury. Agreed on the three highlighted parts. People seem to forget that as attacking options we can drop Malouda back one, and I don't think some people remember Benayoun plays for Chelsea - although Terminator X some people seem to choose to forget he is our number 10. We do need to bring in players this January, agreed. But my point is, as opposed to an attacking midfielder, we need a winger more so! At this moment our options on the wing are very limited. We have Malouda and Zhirkov as our only out-and-out wingers, but Yury is injured and whenever he is fit Ancelotti seems to believe he can offer more in the left-centre midfield role. However, he's won the Champions League twice so I'll trust his judgement. Anelka, Kalou and Kakuta are only make-shift options in my opinion, though I think Kalou does very well in the role. As such I think our priority should be bringing a winger to the club. You may laugh but I genuinely believe Ashley Young is the most-viable, cost-effective option we have. We don't have the money to sign Gareth Bale or Bastian Schweinsteiger, whereas Young would appear to be inside Abramovich's new maximum price range. A bit of genuine pace would galvanise our attack big time. Possibly. I say possibly because I don't think there are any viable options we can bring in to play that position. Fact of the matter is he will just have to get used to playing there. If José Mourinho, in my opinion the best manager in club football, thinks he has the capabilities to be a great defensive midfielder, then he must have some qualities for the position! Don't get me wrong, I don't think Mikel is anywhere close to the finished article but as I said earlier, he is only 23 and has years to develop. Makelele did not become the player he was overnight at the age of 20. I would go as far as saying that until his second season with Celta Vigo (1999/2000) that he showed signs of his true quality, by which time he was 27. Obviously every player doesn't show their true potential at the same age, but because this is still a new position for him. Agreed. Even Makelele went forward every now and again

Agreed mate, looks a good system. Would require great discipline from either Ramires or Essien, however. But it would give us so much more potency going forward - but only if you put Kalou or Sturridge in for Anelka. Some pace, energy and enthusiasm will help us win matches, as opposed to slow dribbles backwards and forwards.

Agreed. Not necessarily in a direct way - he isn't as much of a goal threat - but his pace and drive was causing problems and he was carrying the ball long distances and creating opportunities. He HAS to continue playing because he frankly looks one of three of four players who give a shit.

You'll find me and Vedran are a breed of both... although he outdoes me on the latter.

We've faced worse than this guys. We can beat Wolves if we play the same as we did in the second half against AV.

I just think you're taking what I put wrong, but I can see your point mate. What I'm saying is we should be realistic that we aren't going to win the title, but with that said and done, that shouldn't stop us from defending our title and at least making it a respectable attempt in doing so. It is a lost cause in my eyes. I hope I'm wrong, I really do.

Haha, me too pal! I'm just saying we should abandon thoughts we had at the start of the season of a European double should be abandoned. We need to be realistic here. The season is far from finished and things can turn around very quickly, but I'm just being frank when I say we are not going to win the league. Everyone except Chelsea fans can see that, it would appear. Optimism is blinding us. You and me both mate

And I absolutely agree mate, but I just can't think of another formation or system we can field with the players we have fit, unfortunately. I agree with your point on Kalou, at least he tries!

I really don't think what the fans think is going to make a load of £100,000-a-week footballers perform any differently. The fact of the matter is we are not going to win the league. It is not about being optimistic or pessimistic. Its about being realistic, and the fact is we are not good enough. We'll see who's right come the end of the season.

We'll end up buying Gary Neville for £40 million or something.

How about 11? Of course we need players. We have no competition for players and as a result performances have dropped - players are playing short of full-fitness and within themselves.

For the second game running, Ramires and Terry appeared to be the only players giving a toss. Played very, very well today, he has again impressed me.

With all due respect, he made two changes that should have won us the points today, and would have if the players not lost concentration defensively. The double switch to bring on Kalou and Bosingwa gave balance to the team and some potency on the right flank. It was an inspired, Mourinho-esque move and because we've drawn the game, Ancelotti won't get any plaudits for that particular masterstroke. Similarly, its not as if we have the personnel to switch to another formation right now. The Diamond failed to inspire last season and with the players we have, we're more suited to a 4-3-3. Furthermore the players seem unable to play anything other than a 4-3-3 variant; namely 4-5-1 or the Christmas Tree. And to respond to your final point, it isn't as if we have any choice but to play the likes of Anelka at this moment in time. Okay we have Sturridge and Kalou, but we can't rely on their energy to win us matches. Anelka or Drogba can turn a match in an instant, yet be quiet for 85 minutes, as Drogba was today. The fact is we just don't have a squad good enough right now.

Was just about to say that, Cameron. Good call indeed! I am a big fan of Anelka but he just doesn't cut the mustard right now. Whether that's to do with tiredness, and/or a lack of competition for places is to be seen. But the fact of the matter is he is not performing to a good enough standard and should be dropped. He hasn't put a shift in in weeks. That being said, Drogba is hardly blowing us away at the minute regardless of the fact he's scored in three of the last five matches.We're facing a real crisis up front because we seem to lack potency on all fronts. I must admit Malouda was much, much better today though, he seemed up for it.

http://www.talkchelsea.net/priorities-reconsidered.html

Chelsea FC 3-3 Aston Villa Sunday 2 January 2011, the FA Premier League, Stamford Bridge Aston Villa withstood a late Chelsea onslaught to score an unlikely equaliser to ultimately end the champions' title hopes in a pulsating game at Stamford Bridge. Following their 1-0 win over Bolton in midweek, most people had tipped Chelsea to continue their revival with a win over their Midlands opponents, who have suffered an equally shocking decline in recent weeks. Three points would have been vital for Chelsea in continuing their improbable chase for the title, especially with Tottenham's victory on Saturday knocking the Blues out of the Champions League positions. Instead, another frustrating result ensures both teams now occupy the lower echelons of the form table - merely two wins have been achieved in the last eleven fixtures featuring either of the sides. The champions are now six points behind Manchester United having played a game more, but more worryingly, they are also a point outside of the Champions League places. Not only must the Blues concede defeat in defence of the title, but they are also in a fight for a place in Europe's premier competition next term considering the recent form of Sir Alex Ferguson's league leaders and their cross-town rivals City, as well as the resurgent Tottenham and Arsenal emerging as genuine title contenders. A draw comes as a bitter double-blow for Chelsea as not only does it show the Bolton win to be something of a false dawn, it also means the Blues have lost further ground on the top four after victories for each over the course of the weekend. In addition, it goes to underline the fact that Chelsea have not won a single home league match in which they have conceded this season - whilst the Blues have also surrendered their status of being the Premier League's meanest defence. On a plus side for Carlo Ancelotti's side - who have now amassed their lowest tally of points after 20 matches since 2002 - it was a much-improved performance from Chelsea, who responded well after conceding so early in the second half. Nevertheless, the ounce of passion and commitment demonstrated will do little to hide the Blues' defensive woes, highlighted by the numerous mistakes at the back. The initial perpetrator was Paulo Ferreira, failing to clear the ball when under pressure. Opting to try and play the ball out for a goal kick off of a Villa player, the ball fell the way of the visitors and a mindless hack inside the penalty area later by Michael Essien allowed Ashley Young to blast home an equalising goal after Frank Lampard had fired the Blues ahead in similar circumstances. Pivotal in the opening goal, Florent Malouda had been lively early on having forced a good save out of Brad Friedel with an acrobatic effort - and he won a penalty for the hosts when he was wrestled to the ground by James Collins. Lampard duly fired home just his second goal of the season from the spot - a welcome relief to the England midfielder and Chelsea fans alike considering their number 8's poor form from twelve yards for club and country. Another frustrating half of football had left Chelsea heads in hands, but things took a turn for the worse just 86 seconds into the second period when Emile Heskey netted from Stuart Downing's cross; rising above Jeffrey Bruma to power the ball beyond a beleaguered Petr Cech. It was the former Leicester striker's seventh goal against the Blues, and much like his equaliser in 2008 for Wigan in a 1-1 draw, this would be the goal that ultimately ended Chelsea's title hopes. Most people would accredit that particular feat to Villa's Ciaran Clark for his late, late leveller, but Heskey's goal was a fatal blow. It took them 40 minutes to rally with a final flourish when the game looked up - if they'd have been able to keep things tight at the back then a win would have looked so much more likely. Instead, Heskey's header left Chelsea spitting blood. The lion's share of the ball would obviously belong to the hosts - Villa had set up early on in a defensive formation and they resorted to that after their brilliant start to the second half. But with the wind knocked out of their sails by Villa strikes minutes either side of the interval, the ultimate smash-and-grab looked on for the visitors. Chelsea had to turn to a double change down the right-hand side - with Kalou and Bosingwa finally giving the Blues some potency - before they could hope to get back into the match. And Kalou almost made an instant impact when he effortlessly dribbled beyond challenge after challenge but his cut-back was intercepted, and the one time the Blues opened up the Villa defence, Frank Lampard's volley was saved brilliantly by Friedel after Malouda had set up the England star to smash goalwards. The American goalkeeper then rescued his side once again when he bravely blocked at the feet of Malouda, but he could do nothing when Drogba finally woke up and smashed home the equaliser. Kalou did the leg work and forced a quite brilliant save out of Villa's custodian, but he was helpless as the anonymous Drogba helped himself to the rebound to restart the Chelsea onslaught - though it was a goal the Ivorian certainly did not deserve after a torrid 85 minutes. But with Drogba suddenly jumping to attention and Daniel Sturridge's pace adding to the Blues' fire-power, chances were suddenly becoming more clear-cut. However it was a combination between three defensive-minded players that led to what should have been the game-winning goal, as Bosingwa's persistence allowed Essien to steal in and cross to the unmarked John Terry, who volleyed home his 40th goal for the club. But further defensive lapses allowed the unmarked Ciaran Clark to nod the ball beyond Cech in the 91st minute to secure a draw for the visitors. With 80 minutes gone it seemed as if the Villains were destined to take all three points, but come the time of Clark's late leveller, it was a goal that had rescued them an unlikely draw. The game had hinged around 9 second half minutes, and inside that space Chelsea's title challenge had been both reignited and extinguished in a fatal flurry of goalmouth action. The game might underline Chelsea's many flaws, but it importantly highlights two key points. Firstly, it shows that Nicolas Anelka and Paulo Ferreira must not start the next match -namely because Jose Bosingwa and Salomon Kalou did nothing but fashion chances with their speed and movement - but also because Messrs Anelka and Ferreira endured terrible displays. Secondly, it shows Roman Abramovich we need to spend this January to save our campaign after the irreversible damage delivered today. A midweek game against Wolves could see the mood change dramatically should the Blues pick up three points, but it is evident that Chelsea must turn their attentions towards the Champions League and the FA Cup to ensure this season's shortcomings do not lead to a disastrous conclusion come the summer. The final line is that Chelsea are not going to win the Premier League title this season - that much is obvious. Instead we face a fight to qualify for the Champions League next season - it seems our best chance of appearing in the competition next term would be to win the competition at Wembley in May! That being said, considering the fight and passion demonstrated by the players on the pitch after Terry's late strike, it is apparent that the Blues will not surrender their title without a battle. Chelsea will not win the Premier League this season, but that doesn't mean we can't give its defence a good go from now until May. ___________________________________________________________________ Chelsea (4-3-3): Cech; Ferreira (Bosingwa 56), Bruma, Terry ©, Cole; Essien, Ramires (Kalou 72), Lampard; Anelka (Sturridge 78), Drogba, Malouda. Aston Villa (4-4-1-1): Friedel; Cuellar, Dunne, Collins, Clark; Downing, Reo-Coker, Petrov ©, Agbonlahor (Albrighton 84); Young; Heskey. The TalkChelsea.net Man of the Match was Chelsea's number 26, John Terry

Last time we went a goal down and came back and won, was Blackburn away in October 2010, when we won 2-1.

You can't call us champions anymore based on these results and performances, sorry. At least we saw some fucking passion, at last.

Fucking shit.

LOL at this performance. Its so bad it actually is laughable. How much per week again?

UGH, Carlo what are you playing at? Take off Anelka!!!

What a shambles of a performance. Absolutely disgusted at Drogba, Anelka and Ferreira for their 'performances,' and Essien only seems interested in getting himself sent off. Credit to Ramires, Bosingwa and Malouda for not giving up. Never say die.

LOL we're 2-1 down and playing with nine men, we're fucked.

2-1 Villa