Cole's-play set to be a big hit

EVERYTHING seems rosy for Carlo Ancelotti at present, but he would do well to remember that Big Phil Scolari was in a similar position this time last year, and we all know what fate befell him. Nobody is saying that Chelsea are about to fall apart, but they certainly won’t have it all their own way for the whole season.
The acid test for them will come if Didier Drogba or Frank Lampard pick up serious injuries, as well as when the African Cup of Nations comes around. Chelsea are lightweight up front. Drogba and Nicholas Anelka aside, they only have Salamon Kalou and Daniel Sturridge; not enough to win you a Premiership or Champions League.
On the plus side, however, it will certainly take something special to beat them right now. With the spine of the side as strong as ever, the return of both Joe Cole and Yuri Zhirkov will add a much-needed creative spark. It’s already looking ominous for opposition defences.

No case for the defence

LAST weekend’s Manchester derby provoked widespread debate for a number of reasons. Above all else, though, the one thing we can take from the game, is that both sides will need to shore up defensively if they are to have a major say in the destination of the title.
City have now conceded six goals in two matches; and while the games came against United and Arsenal, it’s still a worrying statistic for Mark Hughes. United, meanwhile, seldom concede three goals at all, let alone at Old Trafford. The mistakes that led to City’s goals will be a particular worry for Alex Ferguson and Ben Foster’s form at present is simply not good enough.
Nevertheless, three wins in a tough week, at Tottenham, Besiktas, and against City merely confirm what we already knew: that those people writing off United at such an early stage really do need to go and have a lie down. With Darren Fletcher beginning to take games by the scruff of the neck, and Ryan Giggs doing everything in his power to prove age is no barrier, they are once again the team to beat.

No more excuses

The Champions League returns this week, and it’s not just the English teams that will be desperate for success next May. Of course, Chelsea, and Roman Abramovich in particular, won’t rest until the trophy with the big ears is taking pride of place in the Stamford Bridge trophy cabinet, and how Arsene Wenger would love to be the first manager in Arsenal’s history to topple Europe’s elite.
But no, the two teams with a major point to prove this year come from slightly further afield. It’s high time both Real Madrid and Inter Milan went on a decent run and gave the four English side’s something to worry about. It’s time for the excuses to stop. Inter were easily brushed aside by Manchester United last season, whilst Madrid have failed to get past the second round for a number of years. Not good enough.
Real’s galactico’s need to hit the ground running, whilst Mourinho’s new signings Eto’o and Sneijder will surely add the spark that they’ve been missing for the last few years. Come on, give us a competition worth watching.

Gunning for trouble

EMMANUEL ADEBAYOR'S behaviour during Manchester City’s 4-2 win over Arsenal on Saturday will inevitably come under scrutiny in the coming days. He can expect a ban and a fine, and in truth, can count himself lucky. Everybody knows his relationship with the Arsenal supporters soured towards the end of his time there, but whose fault was that? Yes.....you guessed it, Adebayor’s himself.
He thought he was better than he was, and talked constantly about joining AC Milan. That deal never happened, and so it was time for the beanpole hitman to backtrack, and reiterate his love for Arsenal. It was too late though; the damage was done and he was never going to be flavour of the month again.
Adebayor talked recently about how the Arsenal fans turned on him, but why was he surprised? These people pay the highest ticket prices in the Premiership, and have every right to turn on a player when he shows such a blatant disregard for them, their manager and everything the club stands for.
It’s one thing if it was Thierry Henry or Dennis Bergkamp calling the shots, but Adebayor was dining out on one half-decent season; it’s not like they couldn’t cope without him.
His kick on Robin Van Persie, if intentional, was a disgrace. But to run the full length of the pitch, to purposely antagonise a set of supporters who had done nothing but support him until he threw it all back in their faces, was one step too far. It’s just a shame that one of those missiles that were thrown on to the pitch didn’t hit him in the face; he deserved it.