Chelsea aren’t Chelsea anymore. How can a draw, marked by an injury-time penalty miss, mean a comeback? Ex- French legend Frank Leboeuf is puzzled and sad about the Blues’ sorrows…
Leboeuf can look back at his playing days at Chelsea with a smile. The former midfielder appeared more than 200 times for the London outfit and he notched over 20 goals as the club went on to win 2 FA Cups, 1 Cup Winners’ Cup, and 1 League Cup during his time at the Bridge.
Chelsea’s success didn’t falter after Frank Laboeuf’s departure in 2001. The Blues instead emerged as Manchester United’s biggest threat as they experienced great moments under Jose Mourinho. Last season, Chelsea also achieved good standards as Carlo Ancelotti led them to win the FA Cup and English Premier League title.
Based on their early results in this campaign, the Blues looked to be so well on course to defending their league title. However, their ongoing run of 5 matches without a win in the Premier League seems to be revealing other things as Chelsea have now dropped down from the 1st rank to the 4th rank in the table.
In an interview with the media, Frank Leboeuf revealed that he had actually been questioning his former club’s big results.
“When I saw Chelsea flying at the top at the start of the season,” said the Frenchman, “I wondered if I knew anything about football anymore. But now, we are seeing the truth and reality about that team and those players.
“I really feel like Chelsea are not Chelsea anymore. I’m sad about that. We need a new Chelsea for next season.”
Conversely, Chelsea supporters remain positive – especially after the club avoided defeat away to Tottenham Hotspur. However, Frank Leboeuf isn’t convinced at the way the Blues did it, with Didier Drogba missing a last-minute opportunity to snatch all three points from the penalty spot.
“I don’t agree that the match against Tottenham was the turning point for their season,” the 42-year-old man declared.
“It’s hard for me to criticize my former club because I love them. But, I really feel like they are at the end of the cycle.
“Of course, they did not have a bad game against Spurs. But, 1 or 2 years ago, that match would have been won by Chelsea.”
So if Tottenham Hotspur, Everton, Newcastle United, Birmingham and Sunderland didn’t fall victims to Chelsea during the last few weeks, how should the Blues feel ahead of this weekend’s titanic match against Manchester United? Wouldn’t they come as the “underdogs” for the first time at Stamford Bridge?
There's a serious need for Chelsea to find get back on winning ways, and it's certain that Fergie's unbeaten Red Devils won't let that achieve that... at least not that easily.
Chelsea’s success didn’t falter after Frank Laboeuf’s departure in 2001. The Blues instead emerged as Manchester United’s biggest threat as they experienced great moments under Jose Mourinho. Last season, Chelsea also achieved good standards as Carlo Ancelotti led them to win the FA Cup and English Premier League title.
Based on their early results in this campaign, the Blues looked to be so well on course to defending their league title. However, their ongoing run of 5 matches without a win in the Premier League seems to be revealing other things as Chelsea have now dropped down from the 1st rank to the 4th rank in the table.
In an interview with the media, Frank Leboeuf revealed that he had actually been questioning his former club’s big results.
“When I saw Chelsea flying at the top at the start of the season,” said the Frenchman, “I wondered if I knew anything about football anymore. But now, we are seeing the truth and reality about that team and those players.
“I really feel like Chelsea are not Chelsea anymore. I’m sad about that. We need a new Chelsea for next season.”
Conversely, Chelsea supporters remain positive – especially after the club avoided defeat away to Tottenham Hotspur. However, Frank Leboeuf isn’t convinced at the way the Blues did it, with Didier Drogba missing a last-minute opportunity to snatch all three points from the penalty spot.
“I don’t agree that the match against Tottenham was the turning point for their season,” the 42-year-old man declared.
“It’s hard for me to criticize my former club because I love them. But, I really feel like they are at the end of the cycle.
“Of course, they did not have a bad game against Spurs. But, 1 or 2 years ago, that match would have been won by Chelsea.”
So if Tottenham Hotspur, Everton, Newcastle United, Birmingham and Sunderland didn’t fall victims to Chelsea during the last few weeks, how should the Blues feel ahead of this weekend’s titanic match against Manchester United? Wouldn’t they come as the “underdogs” for the first time at Stamford Bridge?
There's a serious need for Chelsea to find get back on winning ways, and it's certain that Fergie's unbeaten Red Devils won't let that achieve that... at least not that easily.
