A month today on May 19th, the world will witness Europe's two finalists battle it out in the Allianz Arena, Munich; for the honour of winning the UEFA Champions League to become the European champions.
The reason I mention this, because Chelsea are the only English team left in the Champions League. After beating the defending champions Barcelona 1-0 at Stamford Bridge last night courtesy of Didier Drogba with a very defensive gameplan, they know they are 90 minutes away from the final. The Blues will have a difficult task of defending their one goal aggregate in the fortress Camp Nou against a side who will go out all guns blazing with attack as the best form of defence.
Should Chelsea beat Barcelona who are known as the best team in the world over the two legs, surely the London side will feel with hige belief they can beat the other finalist; Bayern or Real Madrid, to win the trophy they so badly crave for the first time in their history.
Surely if Chelsea win the Champions League, Roberto Di Matteo will have done enough to convince Roman Abramovich to give him the Chelsea manager job.
The race for fourth and final Champions League spot will go to the wire. Di Matteo's side currently sit 6th in Premier League on 57 points, 2 points behind fourth placed Tottenham and fifth placed Newcastle, both on 59 points. With five games to go in the league, Chelsea are locked in an extremely competitive three horse race. An added advantage for The Blues over their two race rivals, if Chelsea win the Champions League this season, they will automatically qualify for the competition next season as defending champions.
However Chelsea play Newcastle in a crucial six pointer at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League on Wednesday 2nd May...this is just three days before they play in the FA Cup Final on May 5.
Speaking of May 5, this brings us to Chelsea's third competition they are still competing in; the FA Cup Final. As mentioned, the FA Cup Final is on Saturday May 5 and it's against an old foe; Liverpool. This game will really challenge Chelsea's revival under Roberto Di Matteo, having lost to Liverpool 3 times this season under then Chelsea manager Andre Villas Boas. Chelsea will know all about the Reds' FA Cup run having knocked out the likes of Manchester United and then Everton in the semil finals.
Chelsea have a successful recent history in this competition having last won it in 2009 against Everton. The West London outfit will be confident of lifting the trophy again on May 5 at Wembley, after their controversial 5-1 win against London neighbours Tottenham Hotspur last Sunday.
The most expensive player in British football history, Fernando Torres will be a villian in his opponent's eyes for leaving the Reds in dramatic fashion as a once Kop fan-favourite for the blue of rivals Chelsea.
The FA Cup Final will be a match where both teams will go in as evens. Form goes out of the window, there's a Cup Final to be won by the best team of the day which will then become best team of the competition.
Chelsea, let the short season begin!
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