Liverpool FC legend Alan Hansen believes Chelsea FC lack the desire to win the Premier League title this season, and believes Manchester United and Arsenal FC will be the main contenders for the remainder of the season.
Chelsea FC’s 1-1 draw with Blackburn Rovers at the weekend has handed the initiative to Manchester United and Arsenal FC, and Liverpool FC hero Hansen suggests age maybe catching up with Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
Hansen, who won eight league titles with Liverpool FC during his illustrious Anfield playing career, believes Chelsea FC should have had the tile wrapped up by now, but recent stuttering form has enabled Manchester United and Arsenal FC to fight their way back in. Hansen suggests the likes of Jon Obi-Mikel and Michael Ballack amongst others appear to be passengers at Stamford Bridge.
The Liverpool FC legend told the Telegraph: “Chelsea's failure to win at Blackburn on Sunday, when they should have won by five or six, proved that they simply do not have the desire to win the Premier League.”
“The title run-in is well underway, but Manchester United and Arsenal are the only teams who have that genuine desire to win it.”
“There has never been a season when the title has been there for the taking as it has been this year and Chelsea should have won it by a country mile.”
“United have struggled for a long time and produced more bad performances than I can ever remember.”
“Arsenal, having lost heavily to both United and Chelsea, should have been out of the race a long time ago. Chelsea should be home and hosed by now but, for whatever reason, they have not shown the desire required to win the league.”
“Why has that happened? It could be down to a host of reasons, but biggest question is do they really want it? If you look at Arsenal and United in recent weeks, their performances tell you categorically that they desperately want to win the league.”
“That’s why I believe that the title race is now between those two. Chelsea are not out of it, but they don’t appear to want it enough.”
“Sunday was a real marker for them. Having seen United beat Liverpool following Arsenal’s win against West Ham on Saturday, Chelsea could and should have beaten Blackburn inside 25 minutes, but it didn’t happen.”
“Maybe age is catching up with Chelsea and they certainly lack pace in key areas.”
“If they don’t win the league, they will need fresh blood in the summer with four or five new signings, but what happens next all depends on Roman Abramovich and whether he has the desire to start again.”
“Chelsea might point to the injury that has cost them the services of Michael Essien because he has been a huge loss. But that excuse doesn’t wash because Arsenal have been without Robin van Persie for months and United have had to deal with both Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic being injured for long periods.”
“Chelsea have too many players whose contribution comes into question. What does John Obi Mikel do? Michael Ballack doesn’t do enough, yet he looks like getting a new contract. Salomon Kalou is in and out and Nicolas Anelka, who looked brilliant earlier in the season, has now gone off the boil.”
“There are no young players coming through who look like replacing the ageing superstars.”
Chelsea FC’s 1-1 draw with Blackburn Rovers at the weekend has handed the initiative to Manchester United and Arsenal FC, and Liverpool FC hero Hansen suggests age maybe catching up with Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
Hansen, who won eight league titles with Liverpool FC during his illustrious Anfield playing career, believes Chelsea FC should have had the tile wrapped up by now, but recent stuttering form has enabled Manchester United and Arsenal FC to fight their way back in. Hansen suggests the likes of Jon Obi-Mikel and Michael Ballack amongst others appear to be passengers at Stamford Bridge.
The Liverpool FC legend told the Telegraph: “Chelsea's failure to win at Blackburn on Sunday, when they should have won by five or six, proved that they simply do not have the desire to win the Premier League.”
“The title run-in is well underway, but Manchester United and Arsenal are the only teams who have that genuine desire to win it.”
“There has never been a season when the title has been there for the taking as it has been this year and Chelsea should have won it by a country mile.”
“United have struggled for a long time and produced more bad performances than I can ever remember.”
“Arsenal, having lost heavily to both United and Chelsea, should have been out of the race a long time ago. Chelsea should be home and hosed by now but, for whatever reason, they have not shown the desire required to win the league.”
“Why has that happened? It could be down to a host of reasons, but biggest question is do they really want it? If you look at Arsenal and United in recent weeks, their performances tell you categorically that they desperately want to win the league.”
“That’s why I believe that the title race is now between those two. Chelsea are not out of it, but they don’t appear to want it enough.”
“Sunday was a real marker for them. Having seen United beat Liverpool following Arsenal’s win against West Ham on Saturday, Chelsea could and should have beaten Blackburn inside 25 minutes, but it didn’t happen.”
“Maybe age is catching up with Chelsea and they certainly lack pace in key areas.”
“If they don’t win the league, they will need fresh blood in the summer with four or five new signings, but what happens next all depends on Roman Abramovich and whether he has the desire to start again.”
“Chelsea might point to the injury that has cost them the services of Michael Essien because he has been a huge loss. But that excuse doesn’t wash because Arsenal have been without Robin van Persie for months and United have had to deal with both Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic being injured for long periods.”
“Chelsea have too many players whose contribution comes into question. What does John Obi Mikel do? Michael Ballack doesn’t do enough, yet he looks like getting a new contract. Salomon Kalou is in and out and Nicolas Anelka, who looked brilliant earlier in the season, has now gone off the boil.”
“There are no young players coming through who look like replacing the ageing superstars.”
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