Since Carlo Ancelotti arrived at Chelsea last June he has only added to his enviable reputation as a manager.
His personality, demeanour and experience guaranteed him immediate respect at Stamford Bridge but he didn't barge in and upset anybody at the club.
Instead he got the players on-side and fostered a spirit and determination that should ensure the Blues win the Premier League this Sunday for the first time since 2006.
One hand on the trophy: but can Ancelotti's team secure the title at home on Sunday?
Three consecutive top-three finishes suggests Chelsea have been doing something right in recent years but once Ancelotti was on-board it became even more important for owner Roman Abramovich - and his continual funding of the club - that a title was forthcoming sooner rather than later.
If Chelsea do see it out on Sunday, as I fully expect them to against Wigan, then I'm sure Ancelotti will find funds are available for him to mould this team in his image.
Pivotal
Going out of the Champions League in the manner Chelsea did in mid-March could have knocked the stuffing out of them but instead it has spurred them on.
Carlo Ancelotti had a good heart-to-heart with his players and it inspired a fantastic response; since then they have only lost to an in-form Tottenham side - an impressive run by anyone's standards.
Andy Gray
Quotes of the week
Chelsea v Wigan Athletic
3.30pm, Sun, Sky Sports HD1
AND LIVE IN ON SKY 3D!
Click here to find your nearest 3D pub
Manchester Utd v Stoke City
3.30pm, Sun, Sky Sports HD 3
After a dressing down from the owner, Ancelotti had a good heart-to-heart with his players and it inspired a fantastic response; since then they have only lost to an in-form Tottenham side in nine games - an impressive run by anyone's standards.
Yes, they've ridden their luck a little and got away with things on occasions; the 1-0 result at Bolton was less than convincing, it took a very fortuitous goal to spark them into life at Portsmouth and then there was Didier Drogba's off-side strike at Old Trafford.
That victory over United was the pivotal game in the run-in for me - it is what gave Chelsea the edge they now hope to cash in on. I'm convinced United would have won the league by now if they had not lost that game - that's how big a result it was.
But any club that wins the Premier League has to have an element of luck on their side, some fortune along the way.
I'm sure the painful memory of their Champions League final defeat to United in Moscow has also spurred Chelsea on no end - if defeats like that don't make you more determined then there is something wrong with you as a footballer.
Achievements
United will, of course, do their utmost to beat Stoke just in case Chelsea slip up but they'll be only too aware that it's got precious little to do with them now if Wigan can't do them a favour.
There have been many years when Sir Alex has won the Manager of the Year award and people have said 'what do you expect? He's manager of United, he's got all the money, the best players'.
After three straight titles I do expect him to come up short this time around but should he make it four in a row, this is one year that he would have deserved the accolade because of what he's had to cope with injury-wise. Moreover, he's not had the financial clout he's had previously.
I am by no means denigrating the achievements of Roy Hodgson or Harry Redknapp in saying that - both have had inspirational seasons. I'm simply saying that Sir Alex has had a much tougher ride than usual.
Concerns
Spurs will hope Fulham can do them a favour and beat Arsenal so they have a shot at third spot but I can't see that transpiring.
Roy's side have both eyes on the Europa League final now and understandably so. If they can beat Atletico Madrid it would cap what has been a truly incredible year.
I can't imagine Roy will risk playing any of his big players at the Emirates for fear of them picking up an injury so Arsenal should pick up three points.
There are already doubts about the fitness of Bobby Zamora, Damien Duff and one or two others and the last thing Roy needs is any more injury concerns added to that list.
I think Harry and the Spurs fans know that and will be more than content with reaching the Champions League qualifying stages.
Personally, I am hugely delighted to see another British manager getting a taste of Europe's premier European competition and I really hope Harry and the lads make it to the League proper.
I'm fed up with being told that foreign managers are the best, that they are the crème de la crème and that British managers are no good.
People like Harry and David Moyes deserve the chance to impress in Europe, just as Roy is in the Europa League.
I hope over the next five or six years we see the likes of Aston Villa and Everton - not to mention Manchester City - challenging consistently to get into the top four and gaining some experience by playing Champions League football because it can only benefit the Premier League as a whole.
Roberto Mancini may have missed out this time but it's worth remembering that what he has achieved he's largely done so with Mark Hughes' players and I give him credit for that.
The problem Roberto has going forward is keeping the dressing room happy. But if he can turn his clutch of individuals into a team then I'm sure City's time - just like Chelsea's - will come.
Comments (57)
Bradley Proctor (Manchester United fan) says...
Hats off to chelsea over the course of the season they have been the more consistent team, apart from the slip-up against wigan, man united have been inconsistent this season and got very lucky against arsenal and sunderland at OT. Yes they may have had defensive injuries throughout the squad for a while but chelsea have had to cope without Bosingwa, Essien, Cole etc. for a major part of the season and Ivanovic has been a genuine quality replacement in the chelsea right back slot. Chelsea deserve the title, hopefully Fergie can win the 19th title next season, C'mon united, do all united fans proud.
Posted 11:23 10th May 2010
Valentin Seleznyov (Chelsea fan) says...
@ Jack Simmons - That's a mighty bold claim, considering the absolute lack of depth and finances at the Emirates. I think you should accustomise yourself to the idea that the likes of Man City and Tottenham will soon overtake Arsenal, in terms of being a top Premier League club, in much the same way they have already overtaken Liverpool.
Posted 04:54 10th May 2010
Takahiro Asai (Manchester United fan) says...
I believe that the red card for Wigan changed everything today. Wigan were playing some great football today and it would have been different if they had a opening goal. Despite, I am very pleased with Nani's performance for United with some decent crosses and dribbling from both left and right. Some questions about Drogba's selfishness...
Posted 22:57 9th May 2010
Jack Simmons (Arsenal fan) says...
being an arsenal fan i wish the cup would be at the emirates today, but i would rather it was chelsea winning the league than manchester united because they have won it to many times. i guarantee that the premierleague will be arsenals next season
Posted 15:56 9th May 2010
Antonio Lanna (Chelsea fan) says...
@ Steve McGuinness; I wouldn't call Tottenham or City a "top side". If you're going to point out all the teams Chelsea have lost to then you might as well include Wigan and Everton in that list too. The fact that Chelsea have beaten their 3 main rivals over the past 5 years both home and away is an amazing feat. And City supporters can't say anything about Chelsea considering they couldn't even qualify for the Champions League let alone challenge for the title. Enjoy the Europa League and it's quality teams.
Posted 15:56 9th May 2010
Hafijur Ali (Manchester United fan) says...
Paul Dredge (Chelsea fan) says... If you have to put your midfielders into centre defence as soon as your first choice defenders are injured then it suggests your squad lacks depth in defenders - not that you have an injury crisis. .............................................. Not just our first choice defenders but our 2nd choice defenders were all out. We had 8 defenders out for a couple of games as well as our first choice goalkeeper only evra was available in defence. The same crisis for chelsea would be chelsea having cech, john terry, carvalho, alex, A.cole, ferreira, boswinga, zhirkov, all out. That would have left chelsea having to play players like lampard and malouda and ballack or deco in defence for a few games like man utd had to do in a few games. Does that mean chelsea squad lacks depth.
Posted 14:43 9th May 2010
Steven Mcguinness (Manchester City fan) says...
@ craig james. when you say chelsea beat all the top sides does that include the 2 times that city beat them this year or the time tottenham beat them a couple of weeks ago. yes i believe that they do deserve to win it but i just thought id point that out.
Posted 12:49 9th May 2010
Alex Mathew (Chelsea fan) says...
Hey Andy! Don't forget that when Drogba scored they were already one goal up and right after Drogba Macheda scored with his hand. So I think it is pointless to suggest that Drogba's offside goal was the decisive one. Chelsea were already winning. You can argue, though, that there were penality claims by both sides then. And everybody( including Man U players and supporters) knows that they were the beneficiaries of weird ref decisions in favour of them on many many different occasions. We should take Chelsea's being crowned champions come 6pm as a good sign that the Premier League is one of the most competetive one. If Man U win year in year out, the League becomes boring.
Posted 11:52 9th May 2010
Chelsea for life ....... (Chelsea fan) says...
@Simon.... Thanks for your good wishes.....but like every other utd fan u still r talking about playin fletch n carrick at defense n then tellin us that we shud not buy players who play in african nations cup,to be honest why dont you take some of ur own opinions and buy some defenders instead of goin for every forward n attacking MF in the world. If SAF wud have accounted for the injuries which ofcourse every team suffers from over the course of the season u wudn't ve had to play fletch n carrick in defense. grow up guys, we never ranted wen u won the title for the last 3 yrs, so accept it. n u mourn about the lack of Tevez n Ronaldo its ur manager who decided to sell them, I am proud of Tevez he proved to Man Utd that what a gem of a player he is wen SAF told he cud do with Tevez leaving, looks like of those rare mistakes ur manager does isn't it??????
Posted 10:47 9th May 2010
Henry Henry (Chelsea fan) says...
Hate to read you utd fans moaning about luck and stuff chelsea will get the title 99.9 % this year and probably 100% next year because you lost ronaldo who is probably the best player in the world you have no chance competing in the level you use to .
Posted 10:14 9th May 2010
Paul Dredge (Chelsea fan) says...
If you have to put your midfielders into centre defence as soon as your first choice defenders are injured then it suggests your squad lacks depth in defenders - not that you have an injury crisis. Im a firm believer that what comes around, goes around in general with decisions in football. Yes Drogba was offside when he scored against United, but yes Macheda clearly handled the ball before it went over the line. Every team gets their luck at some point but its abouts cashing in on when that spot of good luck arrives and riding it when the luck goes against you. Crowing on about injuries etc is just a scapegoat which i dont believe in. Manchester United and Chelsea should both have a squad with enough depth to cope with injuries, i dont hear all the managers who have finished mid table complaining about injuries etc and they have less resources, so are injuries exclusive to top clubs only? I think not. Simply though whoever ends up with the most points deserves to win the league and whoever finishes second should not start making excuses and crying about decisions/injuries and all the other pathetic excuses that people come out with.
Posted 09:56 9th May 2010
Mik Evryn (Chelsea fan) says...
Chelsea won all the games against the other so-called top 4 teams. Home and away with 12-1 goal difference. I think that alone deserves Chelsea the title. I have to say this title, if Chelsea wins it, wouldn't probably have come if the closest rivals wouldn't have sold key players. Utd trusted Berba, didn't pay off, L'pool sold their most important player imo in Alonso and Arsenal didn't strenghten their squad but sold Adebayor. Chelsea's ageing squad didn't weaken and that is partly why the title is Chelsea's to take.
Posted 09:17 9th May 2010
Lolu Ayo (Manchester United fan) says...
What's that saying again..........spend £1billion to lift the premier league trophy 3 times......I can't wait for the day Roman Abramovic decides he is bored with this circus called Chelsea FC. Leed's misfortunes will be a drop in the ocean compared to what this farce of a team will go through!!
Posted 09:11 9th May 2010
Ndaluza Themu (Chelsea fan) says...
Man utd, you have fans who have great belief in what you can achieve even if there is glaring evidence of underperformance. Listen! they think my God given Chelsea will lose to Wigan while you - Stock City result is in your favour. Don't they have respect for other teams? This season is for Chelsea next will be yours who knows. For Chelsea, give us the trophies because we deserve them. Go Chelsea go!
Posted 08:39 9th May 2010
Mr Man (Leicester City fan) says...
I find it kind of horrible when people say this team only won because another decided to let up. As for Man-U n Chelsea the latter have a better performing team this season with more shots on and off target than other teams in the EPL as well as the most goals scored. United havnt played aswell without their top scorer unlike Chelsea, scoring 7 goals in matches as if doing so once was yesterdays fashion. The team has a new manager to the EPL which people shouldnt forget also. I hope Leicester beat Cardiff (off topic) lol c'mon!!!
Posted 04:06 9th May 2010
Homzie D (Manchester United fan) says...
Andy, another fantastic article. Many wrote off Utd at the beginning of the season when we lost Ron and Tev and said that we would struggle to finish 4th! Now, 37 games later, we are 1 point behind with 1 game to go. Over the 38 games, Chelsea deserves to win the title. We have played poorly in a few games but have been lucky against Sunderland & Arsenal at home. We've had to play with just 1 regular defender for almost a month! None of you Chel fans admit that you were gifted 6 points (2 against Bol at home and 4 against Utd home and away). The diff between Utd and Chel fans is that we admit when we are lucky, Chel fans don't. If the points both teams had been 'gifted' were deducted, Chelsea would be on 75 points and Utd on 80. The fact is that Chel have been more consistant than Utd so, if they go on and win the title, they would have deserved it.
Posted 03:53 9th May 2010
Aa A (Chelsea fan) says...
Everyone talks about Drigba off side goal against ManU, but they all forget Macida's goal which is a clear handball. Please give Chelsea a break. After all they will win it without Essian the best midfielder in the world and after all the attacks of the media against John Terry and Ashley Cole which got nothing to do with football.
Posted 01:58 9th May 2010
Hamsy Kumar (Manchester United fan) says...
As a United fan, I might be hoping for a Chelsea slip-up which is impossible as Stamford Bridge. If Chelsea win it, i would have to say they deserve it even though a lot decisions went in favor of them, they played very well this season. United did hit rock-bottom this season with Evra the only remaining first team defender fully fit and I am proud to see us in the title race even after the defensive crisis.
Posted 01:22 9th May 2010
Ricky Robinson (Chelsea fan) says...
Come on Man U fans we all know that come Sunday Chelsea will be lifting the Premier League Trophy so stop hoping that Wigan will do u guys a favor, it's never gonna happen. Come on you Bluessssssss.......................
Posted 00:05 9th May 2010
Cian O'regan (Arsenal fan) says...
Bob Shanook u really need to jog on. How can you possibly claim that united had bad luck against them? have a look at how many penalties united have been awarded at old trafford. then go for another comment. and whatever anybody says about injuries and i no its not really and excuse but nobody had their most important player injured for the full season as in Arsenals case with Van Persie. You may say we should have a backup but show me uniteds backup. This is why chelsea deserved to win as im not sure but i believe they won every game without Drogba
Posted 20:26 8th May 2010
Video
Recent Comments:
Lars Fremming on Forward defensive
"I do believe that Andy got a very good point when he points out that the Arsenal attackers needs to stop the Chelski attacks. We got so many good players going forward but these players... " View all comments
Joe Lucey on Country for older men
"Of course ''arry would take the England job. But that would not be because he is not loyal. It is no different to any other employment. If someone offers you the CEO spot at one of ... " View all comments
Chris Mclean on Managing to survive?
"The premier league''s such a harsh and fast moving league i don''t think it''s ridiculous to say Blackpool will get relegated. They are struggling to even register 25 first team players... " View all comments
Chris Chandler on The middle gauges
"I agree the midfield is a concern on the creative side for United. Giggs and Scholes are now looking to pass the mantle on. This could be a great season for Nani. He is improving all ... " View all comments
Danno Devis on United they fall...
"I just have to say that this is by far the best "review" of the game. You are absolutley spot on about everything from Ronaldo "trying to prove single-handedly that he was the best ... " View all comments
Phil Watts on The nearly men
"Sorry Andy I don't agree. I think some fairly major surgery is required at Arsenal, not least with the managers thinking. Wenger seems unable to understand that he needs to spend money ... " View all comments