Solutions

Chelsea are in trouble. They have two big problems at the moment, and both have the potential to derail the teams efforts to successfully, and in my biased opinion deservedly, win the Champion's League, FA Cup and Premier League. The first problem is simple to identify and potentially dangerous to rectify, and is completely based around John Terry's recent activities.

We all know that he recently had an affair with Wayne Bridge's ex fiance, and it is clear to see that his form has taken a massive dip since the news came out and the entire world started giving everyone their opinion on the matter. I personally don't care what he does off the pitch, but the fact that it has affected his performance is a problem. He needs to be dropped for either Alex, who seems to be suffering from perpetualy 'niggles', or Ivanovic who is playing at right back a lot at the moment.

Unfortunately this will not solve the problem because it seems to be running much deeper than that. The team lack confidence. Against Inter Milan, Chelsea had more opportunities, more possession, more shots on goal but less goals. Granted Kalou should have earned a penalty, but they should have won the game not just drawn. Against Manchester City, Chelsea were by far the overwhelmingly superior team during the first period, but again failed to bury their chances. When a striker doesn't score, it isn't because he can't, it's because he loses concentration or nerve at the last moment. It's because they lack confidence. And it isn't just Anelka lacking confidence, or Drogba, or Kalou, or Lampard or Ballack or Malouda, or Sturridge, or anyone else. It is the entire team.

And this is resulting in the team not scoring when they should, as well as losing 50/50 battles, and subsequently making individual errors which are resulting in goals. It is also creating an upset with the back line, and this is exposing the goalkeepers. Cech was managing the backline to a certain extent, but Hilaro is the substitute and isn't as authoritative. And it is showing. It could cost the team everything if The Anchovy doesn't do something about it.

I don't know what the answer is. I don't know if the club need to strip Terry of the captaincy, and pass it along to Joe Cole or Lampard, or if they need to have some sort of dressing room tear up, or if someone just needs to have the shit beat out of them, but something needs to happen. Personally I think that Terry has had too much say for too long now, and needs to be taken down to size, but whatever happens it needs to happen now because the team have been spiralling downwards since the story broke, and there's no sign of improvement yet.

The second problem is far more complex and far less explosive. It is tactical, and a clinical decision needs to be made. At the beginning of the season Chelsea were playing the diamond, with Lampard at the point, and it didn't work. Then they moved Deco into that position, and it worked better. Then they dropped Anelka back to play the 'Christmas Tree' and it seemed to be doing quite well. But then the team became too predictable and there was a month where they were struggling a lot. Then against Fulham Ancellotti changed the formation to what I suggested at the beginning of the season, playing three central strikers with one withdrawing to create and the fullbacks attacking and playing like wingbacks. A zonally dense 4-3-3. It worked and Chelsea won the game. After that game, the African Cup of Nations withdrew Drogba, Kalou, Essien and Mikel from the squad and Chelsea changed the system again.

Anelka lead the line, and Chelsea played the Christmas tree again, but with the two withdrawn strikers moving out onto the wings, playing alongside Anelka, creating and allowing not only the fullbacks to attack but also smooth and quick interchanging with the midfielders. The new system created lots of space to stretch teams, and Chelsea beat everyone during January. It worked very well.

But with Drogba's return things became far more difficult once again. Anelka is a central striker. Drogba is a central striker. This could be problematic. And now a decision needs to be made. The system has been played as a 4-3-3 with Drogba up front and the wings made up of Anelka, Malouda and on occasion Joe Cole. Against Inter Milan the team played well with the three central strikers again, two withdrawn to create from deeper and move around. Personally I think it worked well and would like to see them go with that formation, but I also think the diamond could work too. Particularly because I think Anelka plays best when he is in the center. Either way, a straight 4-3-3 isn't going to work, and currently isn't working.

Chelsea either need to go for a 'balanced' approach and play the diamond with Joe Cole and Malouda (and Kakuta) withdrawn. Or they need to go for the formation I favour, and would prefer, with Anelka, Drogba and another (Malouda, Joe Cole, Sturridge, Kakuta, Borini etc) playing centrally, working their way outside and dropping deep as required to create spaces and kill the opposition.

These problems need to be sorted out this week. If they don't, United will win the Premier League, Inter Milan will win the Champion's League and only the Lord knows who will win the FA Cup.