Saturday 2 May 2015 20:45, UK
In his weekly column, Sky Sports’ football expert Jamie Carragher looks ahead to a Super Sunday clash that can see Chelsea crowned Premier League champions.
Jose Mourinho’s side will secure their first league title in five years if they follow up a midweek victory at Leicester with three points against Crystal Palace in front of the Stamford Bridge faithful, as well as the Sky cameras.
Former England and Liverpool defender Carragher says the Blues would be worthy winners – and as well as saluting the evergreen John Terry, reveals he would have relished playing for a Mourinho side…
In a league of their own
Chelsea, for me, have been the best team from day one. I can’t think of any time in the season when I didn’t think they were the best.
I backed them from the start after the fantastic signings they made. Jose Mourinho knew in the summer what they needed – they only just missed out last season – and that was before he signed Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa.
They did their business early, they’ve looked the best team – and I’ve never changed my mind.
In praise of Terry
It’s not just this season, I’ve always thought John Terry was the best centre-back I’ve seen in the Premier League era and I think that says it all because there’ve been some outstanding, world-class ones.
There was talk two or three years ago that maybe his time was coming to an end; I think all of us at that age - and especially in that position - go through something similar because when you do have a bad game as a centre-back, you can cost your team goals and games. That’s the risk you run. I know it myself.
People write you off and I think that did happen to Terry – he was getting a few injuries - but he’s come back fantastically. The way Mourinho sets his teams up is really good for him, too; he never really gets exposed very often.
At what he does, he’s the best. He’s been outstanding and I don’t think there’s much in it between him and Eden Hazard as to who’s been the most influential player for Chelsea. You’d probably just go with Hazard but Terry’s run him very close.
I’ve always felt he never gets enough credit for his goals and his ability on the ball. People see him as a warrior who puts his body on the line for Chelsea – he is and he always will do – but he rarely loses the ball and he can ping a lovely crossfield pass - with his weaker foot no less!
Mourinho mystique
All the best bosses defend their players but there’s no doubt Chelsea have a special manager – just look at his record.
People say: ‘Oh, but he always goes to the top clubs so he should win’ but that’s because he’s one of the best in the world. He wins trophies wherever he goes.
In fact, I’d probably say he’s a guarantee of success.
Would I like to have played under him? Of course.
When you’re a player you always want to play for the top managers; you want to know what the secret is. What do they do in training? Would they get more out of me as a player?
I was fortunate to play for a few managers who were brilliant for my career but you do always wonder. Mourinho, Sir Alex Ferguson, Arsene Wenger… when you’re not part of that club there’s always a mystique.
This team measures up
In terms of Chelsea’s other title-winning teams, this one’s right up there. They’ve only lost two league games all season.
We know what sort of teams Jose Mourinho likes – good defensively, big strong players, a powerful centre-forward; that’s his method to win the Premier League and this squad fits the bill.
You certainly wouldn’t want to come up against them - they tick every box.
They’re resolute; yes, they’ve come under criticism a few times for maybe being a bit negative but they’re successful. How can you question the Mourinho way when he’s had so much success throughout his career?
Jose needs another striker
Juan Cuadrado came in from Fiorentina but he hasn’t really settled or had a good run in the team.
Oscar and Fabregas are really creative players but Hazard’s the one, who, when they’re not playing well, gets on the ball and makes things happen. Cuadrado could yet be the man but I think they could do with one more in the Hazard mould.
Defensively they’re very strong – and you’ve got Nemanja Matic in there – but with Didier Drogba getting older and Costa suffering with his hamstrings, I think they need another striker, too.
Palace pace a threat
Palace need to play their counter-attacking football to have any chance of playing party-poopers; they’ve certainly got fantastic pace in the form of Yannick Bolasie and Wilfried Zaha.
It won’t be easy for Chelsea; Palace are the sort of team where you don’t know what you’re going to get. They’re a team that can produce at any team and Bolasie – especially since Alan Pardew has come in – has been outstanding.
He’ll be a handful but you have to think Chelsea – on the their own patch, fans expectant – will get the job done. They’ll deserve it.
Watch the Super Sunday clash that could see Chelsea win the title - Chelsea v Crystal Palace - live from 12.30pm on Sky Sports 1 HD.
