Chelsea’s title hopes slipping away
Chelsea chances of defending their Premier League title have taken a huge hit, and they will struggle to overcome the nine-point gap between themselves and leaders Manchester City, says former Blues assistant manager turned Sky Sports pundit Ray Wilkins.
The Blues lost to bottom of the table Crystal Palace in embarrassing style over the weekend, with the Eagles winning none of their 7 games so far this season – scoring 0 goals. That was until they rocked up and Stamford Bridge of course, where Hodgson’s men battled to win 2-1.
It meant that Chelsea had suffered back-to-back defeats under Conte for only the second time, and the result leaves them with a big gap to close if they are to catch table toppers Manchester City and Manchester United who are only two points off top spot.
Wilkins has been critical of Chelsea all season long, saying that they are a weaker team than last above other things. But this latest defeat has been all too much for the former Blue, who seems to have all but counted Chelsea out of the title race.
“It’s massively damaging for Antonio Conte,” Wilkins told Sky Sports. “They are nine points adrift of Manchester City having played them at Stamford Bridge. At the moment their title chances are disappearing rather rapidly. But I feel for him because I would hate to see more defeats crop up because I think he has done a good job.”
“They didn’t go down fighting and went down with a whimper. It is crippling for Chelsea to lose in that manner. They just had no energy or life and I was disappointed.”
Asked whether his former side can catch up with the Sky Blues or if the nine-point gap was too much, Wilkins replied.
“It wouldn’t be if we have two games to play against them, but we don’t. We have already lost to Manchester City and this side is absolutely rampant.”
“Whoever they play against they are scoring bucket loads of goals. To claw that back is a tough gig. They have got to go on a run like after Arsenal beat us last year to stand any chance at all.”
Wilkins then relayed previous statements about this season’s Chelsea squad, saying it is much weaker than the side that won the Premier League last season.
Wilkins added: “I think the squad is weaker. We have replaced Matic for Tiemoue Bakayokou. In the coming years, he (Bakayokou) will become an exceptional player because he has that stature and ability.”
“He scored on Saturday but is not a great scorer from the middle of the pitch. Neither was Matic but he had the know-how of how to play that position. Bakayoko is still growing into that position.”
“Morata up front has done very well but for me, he is no Diego Costa and unfortunately we have now lost Morata as well so we are having to rely on Batshuayi. On Saturday he was a liability. His movement is almost null and void. When you are playing in a team like Chelsea your movement has to be first-class up front.”