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The Premier League title race is heating up with three groups all having an opportunity of profitable come Might. Whereas there are nonetheless loads of video games to play, and with the Africa Cup of Nations and January switch window set to play an enormous half within the marketing campaign, proper now it’s in Chelsea’s fingers to win it.
The Blues have been stable beneath Thomas Tuchel and though Pep Guardiola’s Manchester Metropolis gained the title final season, Chelsea are prime of the league and forward in the odds on the Premier League winner — while Liverpool is rising in confidence with every passing win. The strain will proceed to mount on Tuchel’s aspect, and it is going to be fascinating to see if they will cope or not. Let’s check out his aspect’s strengths and the way they may give Chelsea an edge within the title race.
Strong on the again
Whereas we don’t suppose anybody will come near matching Chelsea’s impenetrable backline of 2005 beneath José Mourinho, the place the Blues shipped simply 15 league objectives all season, this present crop of gamers nonetheless is aware of find out how to maintain a clear sheet. Edouard Mendy has been stable all season and was unfortunate to not win the Yashin Trophy earlier this month. In entrance of him is a mix of expertise and youthful exuberance, with serial winner Thiago Silva a commanding presence regardless of being within the autumn of his profession. At 37, his future at Stamford Bridge remains to be unsure together with his contract expiring on the finish of the season, but when the Blues are to choose up extra silverware this season, they will depend on somebody who has gained numerous league titles to spice up their credibility amongst the Premier League predictions relating to profitable.
Squad depth
A giant cause each Chelsea and Metropolis have a bonus over Liverpool is their power in depth. You possibly can argue they’ve the most effective set of fullbacks within the Premier League on present kind, and even with Ben Chilwell injured, Marcos Alonso is a stable deputy. You solely have to have a look at the edges they put out for the cup competitions to see there’s high quality littered in each place, giving Tuchel loads of choices for reinforcements from the bench. Even when gamers head off to the Africa Cup of Nations on the flip of the 12 months, there are sufficient choices to reshuffle and a plethora of reserves hungry to step in and take the place of the common starters, significantly £72 million-man Kepa Arrizabalaga, who misplaced the primary shirt while Frank Lampard was in cost at Stamford Bridge.
Been there, performed that
If there’s one factor this aspect beneath Tuchel boast is expertise. Having gained the Champions League final season, the Blues are acquainted with selecting up silverware regularly — add to that their Tremendous Cup exploits and there’s a squad that has seen all of it and carried out within the large moments. Though the FA Cup loss beneath Lampard nonetheless leaves a bitter style within the mouth of some Chelsea followers, the majority of that squad additionally picked up a Europa League again in Baku and a few even performed beneath Antonio Conte through the league title win of 2017. Whereas Metropolis could have had extra success domestically, that is definitely a aspect that may compete for a title and doesn’t look prone to let go now they’re within the driving seat any time quickly.