This could be end of Chelsea 'as we know them'

[Term-X 7,891]

Alan Hansen: Failure to win Premier League could be end of Chelsea 'as we know them'

Title slip-up could signal end of an era at Stamford Bridge...

Former Liverpool defender Alan Hansen believes that, should Chelsea fail to claim the Premier League title this season, then the recent period they have enjoyed as a dominant force in the English top flight could be over.

The Blues lost to Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday whilst rivals Manchester United won at Manchester City.

That saw the Londoners' lead at the top of the table cut to just one point with three games left, and Hansen feels that failure to win the title will have consequences far beyond this season.

"As for Chelsea, they will be guilty of the biggest slip-up in the history of the Premier League if they fail to win the title because they have had so many opportunities to put it beyond their rivals' reach and been unable to do it," Hansen told The Daily Telegraph.

"If they finish without the title this season, it could be the end of Chelsea as we know them. It is such a crucial time for the club.

"Win the league, and Roman Abramovich might be energised by the experience, throw more money at it and go for the big prizes all over again. But with the team needing new blood, he might decide that, although he has had a great time, the party is over."

Hansen feels that neither Chelsea nor United have been top class teams this season, with United's experience and, crucially, their manager, playing major parts in their title challenge.

"No matter who wins the title this season, though, it will be the first time that an average team will have claimed the Premier League crown," the former Liverpool skipper added.

"Jose Mourinho changed the face of English football when he was at Chelsea because his team raised the bar so high that you had to be a great side to win the league during his time at Stamford Bridge.

"But neither United nor Chelsea can lay claim to being a great side this season. If United win the title, it will be down to their perseverance and ability to do what champions do in terms of never giving up.

"They also have the figure of Sir Alex in the dressing room, warning players that they might not have a future at United and hammering home the message that they never give up."

Liverpool face Chelsea on May 2, and Hansen insists that there will be no difference in attitude from Rafael Benitez's side, even though a win for them could hand bitter rivals Manchester United the title.

"There is absolutely no chance whatsoever that Liverpool will be handing out any favours to Chelsea at Anfield, even it means that they ultimately play a pivotal role in handing United their 19th league title," he asserted.

"Sir Alex Ferguson knows this only too well and anybody who might doubt Liverpool's integrity and resolve will be seriously mistaken.

"In 1995, Liverpool almost handed the title to United by beating Kenny Dalglish's Blackburn on the final day of the season, but United's failure to win at West Ham proved their downfall.

"Liverpool will be approaching the Chelsea game in exactly the same manner. They will be 100 per cent professional and they would expect the same from United."

http://www.goal.com/...could-be-end-of

[Rambo 1,729]

While this is true, I think it applies more to the Champions league.

[Henrique 9,133]

I don´t think so. Since 2003 I have heard people saying: "if Chelsea win a lot, then Abramovich will get bored and will leave. if Chelsea lose he will get desappointed and will leave...". Honestly I believe that 20 years from now, the russian still will be here.

Edited April 20, 2010 by Henrique

[We Hate Scouse 10,287]

All built on speculation of what Abramovich may or may not do! No one knows what the great man is thinking, hence the reason this speculation forms. It's only there to sell more papers, gain more numbers on websites etc.

[Henrique 9,133]

All built on speculation of what Abramovich may or may not do! No one knows what the great man is thinking, hence the reason this speculation forms. It's only there to sell more papers, gain more numbers on websites etc.

thats it.

[northernblue 2]

Is no news good news though? There has certainly been some belt tightening at Chelsea recently and while I agree an overhaul of the squad is needed, it will be damn sight easier for Carlo to persuade Roman to release the cash if are holding the Premier League title, otherwise he could argue he is just throwing good money after bad.

[Fulham Broadway 16,977]

All built on speculation of what Abramovich may or may not do! No one knows what the great man is thinking, hence the reason this speculation forms. It's only there to sell more papers, gain more numbers on websites etc.

True. It will be a different squad for 2010-11 win or lose the league -if thats what the scarheaded one is saying, hes good at stating the bleeding obvious. This is the same bloke that said ''you dont win anything with kids'' just before United went on a spree of Premier League titles....

[EskWeston 696]

What a load of nonsense......

[zolayes 14,489]

hansen proves himself to be a complete idiot spouting this rubbish

[Alee. 182]

Such bullshit. :\ Cant believe he gets paid to write stuff like that.

[boshman 1,073]

Chelsea win they say they are going to run away with the league and they are the best thing since sliced bread. Chelsea lose and the manager is getting the sack in the summer and all the players need to leave. They can't win.

[Ollie 4,400]

There's more chance of him carrying on to spend big if we don't win it because he would be getting pissed off like us. It's all total crap anyway and as far as the "biggest slip-up in the history of the Premier League" ... i dont think so. That will always be newcastle in 1996

[Ray. 217]

It's just speculation, no one can tell what's going to happen. At the end of the day it'll be up to us to prove Hansen and the biased media wrong by coming out on top at the end of the season.

[Jon 18]

I'll take the question of the "end of Chelsea as we know it" in a broader scope. Assuming Uncle Roman isn't going anywhere, which I doubt he will. I do think this is the beginning of Chelsea as we've known it for the past handful of seasons i.e. a move away from 'Mourinho's Chelsea'. I see Chelsea staying competitive (of course), but still in a period of transition from the 'old' guard and the influence of newer and/or younger people. But as far as Roman bailing on the Chels A) GOD I HOPE NOT & I just don't see it happening just yet. Just easy paper fodder.

[Jessman 9]

If Roman -does- happen to leave, someone will be prepared to pick up where he left, Chelsea is an established and ground breaking club, so I wouldn't worry too much lads, just hope we get through these next few games with good results.

[chrismada9 1,948]

Alan Hansen just went WAY down in my estimation after seeing this, what a total cunt!

[Aesthetic Relic 301]

"As for Chelsea, they will be guilty of the biggest slip-up in the history of the Premier League if they fail to win the title because they have had so many opportunities to put it beyond their rivals' reach and been unable to do it,"

Would this not apply to Manure too ?

How many times have they slipped up after CL games allowing us the opportunity to capitalise ?

[Blueboy 14]

I just so hope we are going to prove him wrong and win the league at Anfield next week.