The unedifying sight of John Terry and Didier Drogba arguing as they left the pitch at Stamford Bridge on Sunday could be viewed one of two ways by onlookers (9/2 Chelsea – Premier League outright).
It could be, as Carlo Ancelotti attempted to explain in his best broken English, construed as two senior players letting off a bit of steam at the end of a frustrating 3-3 draw against Aston Villa in which the double winners had trailed 2-1 before being within touching distance of back-to-back Premier League wins.
Instead, it could be more evidence that all is not well on board the good ship Chelsea.
The champions remain in fifth place but are six points behind the leaders Manchester United, who have a game in hand over them and have yet to visit west London. Ancelotti’s team have taken just ten points from an available 30 to slip from the summit of English football ahead of their midweek trip to Wolves (Wolves 6/1 draw 10/3 Chelsea 4/9 – match betting).
Sir Alex Ferguson suggested before the weekend the open nature of the race for the title was a “dream” for fans and players alike – but whether Chelsea will be part of it on current form is now open to debate.
Manchester City could again flex their financial muscle in the January window, Arsenal appear on the cusp of finally realising their potential and Tottenham’s all-out-attack approach could see them go close.
One area of obvious concern for Ancelotti has to be a leaking defence which has shipped in 17 goals in all competitions going back to, and including, the 2-0 defeat by Liverpool at the start of November last year.
“Defensively, we lost something, obviously,” Ancelotti said, when reflecting on Sunday’s stalemate.
Another concern, highlighted on Sunday, was the lack of cohesion and zip between principal goal threats Nicolas Anelka and Drogba, who scored against Villa but was otherwise anonymous (9/2 Drogba – Premier League top goalscorer).
“They have difficulty in this moment but Drogba scored today and for a striker, that’s very important,” added the Italian.
Ancelotti said the visit to the capital of United in March would determine whether or not Chelsea will retain their domestic crown and he can take heart from the affection afforded to him by the players when Terry put the Blues in front.
It sparked memories of when they did the same for former manager Luiz Felipe Scolari after a late winner by Frank Lampard against Stoke City in January 2009.
Scolari was sacked three weeks later.
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