Will the Didier Drogba issue affect Chelsea's title run-in?
Friday 2nd January 2009
The confirmation that Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has been fined £100,000 for criticising the club in a French publication recently has cast a dark shadow over Chelsea's championship ambitions. The club has hit a difficult patch on the football field over last few weeks and slipped to second favourite behind Manchester United in the betting. But will the Drobga affair have a long-term impact on the club?
While there is no doubt that Chelsea have substantial strength in depth there is a concern that should the wayward striker be sold in the transfer window this would leave the club short of firepower. Historically Chelsea have had the financial muscle to buy almost any player they wanted however recently they have been a little more conservative on the spending front.
If the club is unable to bag one of the better-known strikers in the transfer window there are serious doubts that they can grasp the title from the grip of Manchester United. However, at the same time far too many observers are discounting the Liverpool factor even though they are clear at the top of the table and without their best striker Torres. This year's premiership title looks like going to the wire.
