Chelsea
legend and former skipper Marcel Desailly insists the Blues are facing a
critical couple of weeks during which they must be careful, but has backed
them to succeed.
Chelsea face Manchester United on Sunday, live on Sky Sports 1 HD, aware
that victory would put them to within touching distance of the league title.
Antonio Conte's side currently sit seven points clear at the top of the
Premier League, with Tottenham their nearest challengers heading into the
final seven games of the campaign.
Retired centre-back Desailly spent six seasons at Stamford Bridge between
1998 and 2004, though he never won the league title with the Blues.
"I'm very pleased [with Chelsea]," Desailly said live on Sky Sports News HQ.
"When you look at last season where it was very difficult with [Jose]
Mourinho in charge, a whole lot of controversy and the tactics were not
working, this year you change it and have three new players: (N'Golo) Kante,
(Marcus) Alonso and (Victor) Moses and you just change a little bit of the
tactics, it's just an amazing season for Chelsea.
"We'll see them in the Champions League again, it's just that they have to
finish correctly. The FA Cup is there against Tottenham, there are many
major important games such as Manchester United this weekend, so you have to
be careful.
"These two weeks are the key moments and games for Chelsea but they will
make it. There's no reason why the players should shake in front of these
various events."
As well as speaking about Chelsea, Desailly gave his opinion on French
compatriot Arsene Wenger on Tuesday, after another defeat for the Gunners at
Crystal Palace on Monday Night Football revved up the pressure to perhaps
its highest point during the Arsenal manager's 21-year reign in charge.
"I've not seen the game [Palace 3-0 Arsenal], but if you've said that
they've lost, Arsenal supporters should again be very very disappointed,"
Desailly added.
"It's not about Wenger, it's about what the chairman wants. They are the
ones who have to come out and say something.
"Either we'll keep Arsene because it's the idea, philosophy and projection
that they have, or they have to change it and know that it will be two or
three difficult years afterwards.
"If you remember this is the fear everyone has, the fact that if tomorrow
Arsene goes without preparing the club, because the club is not prepared yet
for Arsene to go. So it's a tricky decision and also a tricky desire for
Arsenal fans.
"Something is missing at Arsenal, there are no special leaders. You need
players who come up and show that, 'yes, we understand and we are going to
prove to you that we can achieve something', but it's going to be very
difficult."
top