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All four? . . . mmhmm . . . let’s see!


We’re back to the Cups – three of them. We should skin Norwich or Blackpool at home on 17th Feb in FA Cup, we should win away at Porto on 21st Feb and we should thump Arsenil on 25th Feb in the Carling Cup final.

Well, I’ve already made it clear what results do I expect in those matches. I dont think it is a tough task now. If the above happens, I dont think anyone would be surprised because even the non-Chelsea fans ‘expect’ (not ‘want’) us to win. There’s a very topical opinion poll on the sidebar now to see what you feel about our silverware chances this season.

To compare where our rivals stand in all the competitions, Man Utd are well placed in all competitions except Carling Cup where Southend stunned a Man Utd first team that all their magicians. Arsenil can hope for the fourth place in the league and if they falter Bolton and Reading are in arm’s length. They could be ousted by Bolton at the Reebok, which is their jinxed stadium. They do have a tricky fixture in the Champions League and I hope the Dutch champions move ahead.

Liverpool is playing for the third place in the league. They wasted their home draws and were knocked out of the domestic cups. The Champions League draw did not make Rafa jump for joy. While upsets are possible in football, while Southend can beat Man Utd, I’m still not able to see Liverpool getting past Barca. Well, that way, I did not expect them to beat Milan in the final in 2004-05, and nobody expected, when they had a mountain to climb with half hour to go.

It is a funny situation to be in, for the fans now. While I want the other top 4 clubs to be eliminated in the cups, I also remember that it will help them in their pursuit of the league title. Talking about league title, I refer only to Man Utd. Therefore, I’d be fine if Man Utd keep themselves alive in FA Cup and Champions League as this will make their title bid, little more difficult. Meanwhile, I would say that I’m indifferent to the results of the matches involving Liverpool or Arsenil unless it is an opportunity for us to shred them.

For a man of Jose’s hunger for success, if we are to win all four, he would have very little to prove in the next season. Only for this reason, I wouldnt mind if we win only two or three of the silverware this season. I dont know. If we win all four, Jose might even set a new standard for Chelsea by aiming for a back-to-back all four!