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."
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."
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