With a trail of recent destruction left in its wake, Manchester United face its biggest challenge of the season at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
Impressive wins against Tottenham, Liverpool and, perhaps most impressively, Manchester City last weekend leave United with eyes firmly set on the league leaders.
Chelsea’s record is imperious in London, something Louis van Gaal’s men have to overcome if the most unlikeliest of title run-ins is to be explored. Just as Jose Mourinho executed with trademark efficiency in the 1-1 draw at Old Trafford in October.
It has been suggested that Mourinho could adopt a cautious approach, knowing draws against United and Arsenal next weekend all but ensures Chelsea’s domestic campaign will conclude with an open-top bus parade along Kings Road.
Loic Remy is set to return after injury, which should see Didier Drogba relegated to a substitute’s role. The possibility remains, however, that the Ivorian’s performance against the Red Devils earlier this season could warrant another start here. His nonchalant near-post flick gave Chelsea the lead, only to be denied by Robin van Persie at the death, while he turned back the clock with a showing of excellent hold up play and positional awareness.
The industry of Ramires was preferred in a second screening role with Nemanja Matic in the 1-0 win at Loftus Road, with Cesc Fabregas operating at the tip of the midfield diamond.
The cautious-or-not conundrum that faces Mourinho is largely down to the absence of attacking verve shown earlier in the season. After trusting Oscar in the No.10 role, the Portuguese now prefers him sitting alongside assistants Rui Faria and Steve Holland on the Chelsea bench.
The Brazilian playmaker has not completed a full match since Southampton’s 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge on March 15, and was entrusted with a mere 53 minutes from a possible 210 (including 30 minutes extra time) against Paris Saint Germain.
In the Premier League, Chelsea have not defeated an opponent by more than two goals since January 17. This inability to break teams down has translated into three draws at Stamford Bridge since. Where doubt should not remain following Manchester City’s calamitous collapse, the Premier League title’s final destination is not yet assured, with nearest rivals Arsenal and United in far better form.
The over-reliance on Wayne Rooney now looks to be a thing of the past in van Gaal’s revamped system, where he has the midfield ticking over like a machine. Ander Herrera, Marouane Fellaini and Michael Carrick have developed a solid understanding, while the team are flourishing as the trio’s individual traits have been seemingly impossible for opposition to counter.
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Fellaini’s strength and improved ball retention, as well as the tactical nous to drop into the inside-left channel when receiving long diagonals has seen United’s tempo visibly quicken. Carrick has benefitted as the options ahead of him are more plentiful than they once were, with Herrera buzzing around to vacate empty space, usually working in tandem with Spanish compatriot, Juan Mata. The former Chelsea man has seen his best football come as he operates as a narrow right-winger, allowing Antonio Valencia room to overlap on the outside.
Ashley Young, too, has excelled using his best traits in recent times. His pace and trickery bamboozled the division’s best right-back, Pablo Zabaleta, netting a goal and creating another two in his best United display to date. The 29-year-old has made such an impression on his manager, that very few have pointed to Angel Di Maria’s time of the bench as a decision of contention.
Mourinho’s reputation has been made on nullifying great attacks, many better than this current United crop. Whether he can deny van Gaal’s squad a win at home may not be of crucial importance come season’s end, such is Chelsea’s seven point lead (with a game in hand), but it will be a great marker for potential progress next season at the very least.
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