Goal.com Polls

Poll Results: Even Split On Chelsea's "Peaking"

The readers have spoken, and there is not much between the two camps on the future of Chelsea...

Jan 6, 2009 10:44:14 AM

Spartak-CSKA 1-1: Roman Abramovich (S.Dronyaev)

Photo Gallery

Zoom

Spartak-CSKA 1-1: Roman Abramovich (S.Dronyaev)

Teams

Chelsea

Yesterday we asked whether or not Chelsea had hit their peak in terms of their achievements.

The former Premier League winners and Champions League runners-up are in the midst of a difficult run of form at home, even though they are still well in with a chance of topping the domestic table.

In Europe, too, they remain in the competition, but the financial crisis that has so rocked club owner Roman Abramovich may see them struggle to replicate this feat in future.

This was the proposition put forward, and thus we asked - have Chelsea peaked? Here were the results:

No: 54%
Yes: 46%

We also took the issue to our Chelsea forums on the Goal.com Forum centre, where the debate continued.

User 'simonpegg' said:

"2 years ago under Mourinho, Chelsea were arguably the strongest and most difficult side to beat in the world. They had an impenetrable defence, a monstrous midfield (Essien, Lampard and Ballack) and Drogba was the best striker in Europe. Add to all this, tactically they were one of the best. Fast forward 2 years and it looks like Chelsea are coming towards the end of a cycle. It is natural and happens to all great teams. Then there is the Scolari factor and him trying to make them play a different style. I think as a result of all this, Chelsea will crash out on penalties to Juventus in the Champions League."

But 'pliston' added:

"Chelsea have not peaked, but lack motivation unlike when we have Jose their but the only issue is that Abramovich wanted fancy football and he is getting it so there are no complaints. When you look at Chelsea last 2 season ago, they will fight for every ball, both in the air, corner kick, free-kick in as much as the ball is still in play. Look at the team now we still have great players like Lampard, Ballack, Terry, Mikel, Ashley Cole, can we say they have peaked NO. Bosignwa, Deco, Anelka or Drogba we can't say the same thing either. What chelsea need to do is to go back to the drawing board. SIMPLE."

'paddymayo' weighed in:

"It's not a case of have they peaked it's a different attitude to the game. Under Mourinho Chelsea were a machine, they rarely dropped points. the attitude was win at all costs, who cares about pretty football - a win is a win. Under Scolari the main priority is pretty football. It has cost the team. He can't organise his defence and they're conceding goals that they wouldn't have done under Jose. Players aren't working as hard and they don't have to track back. this weakens the side defensively. Now they are dropping points regularly. They haven't peaked and they won't. Here's how I think their season will pan out, from every 5 games they will drop 2-5 points. They're no longer a machine."

Be sure to check back each weekday for a new Goal.com poll!

--Goal.com team