There is no doubt that Chelsea deserve to be crowned Premier League champions this season as they have been the most outstanding team, particularly since the start of the new year.
They possess a fantastic squad that have fought off any potential title rivals with relative ease and have a manager who knows his team well enough to be able to adapt his tactics and game-plan from one match to another in order to achieve the desired results.
Chelsea Champions Due To Rivals’ Problems
Their team is littered with stars from back-to-front. No team, possibly in Europe, possesses the strength in depth that Chelsea do in the goalkeeping department. Petr Cech has lost his number one spot for the majority of the season to Thibaut Courtois but the competition has been rife all year. Their defence is equally as impressive with English duo Gary Cahill and former England captain John Terry providing the steel, backbone and organisation that any successful side requires. They have been helped by the excellent midfield work from Nemanja Matic who has helped protect his defence by breaking up play in dangerous areas. Matic has then plenty of options in front of him to kick-start an attack. There is pace in abundance in Chelsea’s attacking third and no less quality either. Player of the year Eden Hazard has been a constant threat all season with his skill, pace and goals. With the likes of Oscar and Willian also possessing similar skills, and Fabregas the craft, Chelsea have one of the most exciting attacking midfields in World football. Added to this the goals and work-rate of Diego Costa, then Chelsea have a formidable side.
Despite possessing an excellent squad, with fantastic attributes, they have also been helped in their title success by issues affecting many of their closest rivals. Some of their rivals are going through changes but others have simply wilted during a demanding season which Chelsea have ultimately dominated.
Second-placed Manchester City have had a poor season by their standards. They will emerge trophy-less from it with question marks surrounding many of their top players and their manager. Yaya Toure has been the brunt of most of the criticism, but he is being used as a scapegoat. With the exception of perhaps Sergio Aguero, Joe Hart and David Silva there are many within the City ranks who need to look at their performances over the season and question whether they deserve to be a Manchester City player next year. Too often City have lacked the desire and class which champions are made of. Their key players have not always been on the top of their game and there appears to be a lack of unity and leadership within the squad. Vincent Kompany has not been his assured self and that has led to question marks over the defence as a whole.
Arsenal have been on an excellent run in 2015 but their form and inconsistencies in the first half of the season have ultimately cost them success in the Premier League. Wenger really needs to find a way to ensure his team produce excellent performances throughout a full season. They play an exciting brand of football which, with one or two high-class additions, could see them challenging for the title next season. It is long overdue.
Manchester United, on course to finish in the top four, will be happy with their season, although not entirely satisfied. After a sticky start to the season when Van Gaal was unsure of his best team and formation United seem to have adapted to the Dutchman’s ways and have responded well. At one point United could sense an opportunity to really push Chelsea for the title but now they must be content to finish in the top-four and cement a Champions League place which would have been their ultimate aim after a woeful season last year. There are still some question marks over United but Van Gaal will hope to be very active in the transfer market in the summer with a view to making a sustained challenge next season. I believe they will push their rivals very close next season.
Liverpool and Tottenham, currently in fifth and sixth place, still have huge question marks over their ability to make a sustained challenge for a title. Neither club has excelled this season but both, with some high quality additions, could become a force next season and beyond and become permanent fixtures in the top four. They have produced some outstanding performances this season but have then shown the inconsistencies which have plagued a lot of the top teams this season.
Whilst all these teams have been battling themselves as well as the opposition Chelsea have been ruthlessly going about their business in the best possible way. They have been labelled boring this season but many would prefer to view them as efficient and thorough. Most of all, they will be remembered because they were successful. If other clubs in the Premier League do not stand up and be counted next season there is no reason why Mourinho and Chelsea cannot retain their trophy once again and perhaps start another period of dominance domestically.
They certainly deserve their league success and, under Mourinho, are showing signs that they will be back for much more next season.
Chelsea entertain Crystal Palace on Sunday at Stamford Bridge and will lift the Premier League trophy if they emerge triumphant over their London rivals.
