Is Chelsea’s current side better than their 2005 vintage?
Sir Alex Ferguson raised the debate ahead of yesterday’s match at Stamford Bridge. He claimed Jose Mourinho’s side were better than the current set of Chelsea players.
This Chelsea are no doubt an exciting side, full of incredible players, and lest it not be forgotten they are European Champions. Yet they finished sixth last season in the league, whereas Mourinho’s Chelsea won the title in 2004-05 and 2005-06.
So let’s compare the line-ups.
Here is the Chelsea side from 2005, from when they clinched their first league title under Mourinho away at Bolton.
Cech, Geremi, Terry, Ricardo Carvalho, Gallas, Tiago, Makelele, Lampard, Jarosik, Gudjohnsen, Drogba. Subs: Smertin, Carlton Cole, Kezman, Huth, Cudicini.
And here is yesterday’s line-up from the game at home to Manchester United;
Cech, Ivanovic, Cahill, Luiz, Cole, Mikel, Ramires, Mata, Hazard, Oscar, Torres. Subs: Turnbull, Azpilicueta, Marin, Sturridge, Bertrand, Moses, Romeu.
Looking at the two squads, from an attacking point of view more players in the 2012 line-up stand out as being more individually talented. For example, would Jiri Jarosik, Tiago or Eidur Gudjohnsen get into this current team?
Didier Drogba though would certainly find a place in a ‘dream team’ mixed of the two squads, with Fernando Torres too inconsistent to be relied upon. The other standout player is Claude Makelele, who John Obi Mikel has attempted to mirror, but without quite the same success and acclaim.
There too would not be a Chelsea fan who would feel quite right leaving Frank Lampard out of such a best eleven, certainly not at his best, and would probably shade it over Ramires even if we are talking about today, the Brazilian is a better option.
Where the 2005 side really comes into its own, is defence. Geremi aside, the trio or Terry, Carvalho and Gallas were a force under Mourinho, and while Gallas left under a cloud, his contribution to their title success is not to be discounted.
When asking who is the better side? 2005 or 2012, yesterday’s result against Manchester United tells its own story. Mourinho’s side in 2005 would never have conceded three goals at home to United. They have have been criticised for winning games 1-0, but you can’t deny their effectivness.
They still hold the record for the amount of points achieved in the Premier League, 95, which tells its own story.
This current Chelsea side may have some of the most exciting young talents in world football, and be more interesting and enjoyable to watch, but if we are talking about who is better, lets wait until this side gets to even within 10 points of their 2004-05 total and then have this discussion…
Which side do you believe is better, 2005 or 2012?
image: © Crystian Cruz
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