Chelsea must fancy their chances of doing the impossible and winning it all…
Ex-Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher says no English team will ever be able to win the quadruple – the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup – in the same season – but Chelsea might just disagree with that.
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The Sky Sports pundit said: “There was talk of them going unbeaten and that went and I would imagine sooner or later they will lose a game in a cup competition. That is normal for any team really.
“They are the best side in the country and one of the top sides in Europe, but no team in England has ever won the quadruple. United did the treble in 1999 but I’m not sure winning all four will ever be done. It’s very difficult.
“I am sure Jose Mourinho would be happy if he got a couple of trophies this season.There was talk of them going unbeaten and that went and I would imagine sooner or later they will lose a game in a cup competition. That is normal for any team really.
But we disagree! Here are eight reasons why Chelsea COULD win it all this season:
8) Perfect summer transfer window
Chelsea had the perfect summer transfer window, getting their business done early and recruiting all their top targets. Diego Costa, Didier Drogba and Loic Remy formed a new-look strike force who have scored the goals Chelsea lacked last season, while Cesc Fabregas has added bags of creativity to the midfield. Throw in Filipe Luis, and it couldn’t have gone much better.
7) Strength in depth
It is credit to the sheer quality of Chelsea’s squad that the likes of Drogba, Remy and Luis are not regular starters. Add in the likes of Ramires, Andre Schurrle, John Obi Mikel and Petr Cech, none of whom are automatic starters, and you’ll see why they’re so exciting. Chelsea can make 11 changes and still have a competitive team, and that will serve them well for competing on multiple fronts.
6) Lots of goals
We’ve already mentioned this already, but the signing of three new strikers have added bags of goals to their team. When you consider that Eden Hazard and Oscar are also likely to reach double figures from midfield, while Willian, Schurrle and Fabregas have all chipped in this season, and you’ll see why they’ve gone from parking the bus, to ramming it through the opposition’s front door.
5) Best defence in the country
Chelsea’s back five oozes class and quality, and the fact that a Champions League finalist – Luis – can’t earn a regular starting spot – only serves to emphasise that point. Thibaut Courtois, Branislav Ivanovic, Gary Cahill, John Terry and Cesar Azpilicueta are an excellent unit all now well accustomed to playing together. They’ve conceded just 13 league goals so far this season.
4) Stamford Bridge
Chelsea have only lost once this season, and remain unbeaten at Stamford Bridge. Their London home is quickly becoming something of a fortress. It’s never been an easy place to go and get a result, but Mourinho would be all to delighted to continue that form throughout the remainder of the season.
3) Jose Mourinho
When it comes to being a tactical genius, there are few better than Mourinho, who is still chasing a record third Champions League win with a different club – having already tasted success with Porto and Inter Milan. Mourinho knows how to set his team up to get the right result, and he came close to success on multiple front last season, despite his team’s shortcomings. There are no excuses this time around.
2) Favourable League Cup draw
With the utmost respect to those teams still left in the competition, you have to make Chelsea the favourites for League Cup success. In their semi-final they face Liverpool, a team they’ve enjoyed a decent record against in recent years, and that will be followed by a final against either Tottenham – who have insisted on playing a much changed team in the cup – or Sheffield United, of League One.
1) Lack of Premier League challengers
The mixed fortunes of Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham this season, mean that Manchester City are Chelsea’s only realistic competition for the Premier League title. The two teams are level on points as things stand, with the Blues holding a game in hand over their rivals. This race could go right down to the wire, but City’s current upturn in form is not going to last forever.
SEE ALSO: Chelsea transfer news