Unless there is a shock result Chelsea will beat Crystal Palace to be confirmed as English champions tomorrow.
They have been criticised by some for what has been seen as a boring style of play but Andy Gray and Richard Keys, who front up beIN Sports’ coverage of the Premier League, disagree:
Andy Gray: All the criticism of Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea has been ridiculous. They are not the kind of team that is going to blow all their rivals away every week, score 100 goals and ride off into the distance with the league title. But are they the best team in the English Premier League? Absolutely, they are.
Any team that wins the league title after more or less leading from start to finish has to be respected. Not one of their rivals has given them a run for their money.
Man City got close at one stage of the season but they have been left behind so I see no reason why Mourinho should have to defend the way his team plays.
Jealousy is clearly playing a role here. A lot of people don’t like Mourinho, I get that, but at the end of the day he is a winner; he knows how to get the job done. Is he the best manager the Premier League has ever seen? No, because Sir Alex Ferguson stands head and shoulders above everyone mainly because of his longevity.
But this will be Mourinho’s third title with Chelsea, and he has won other silverware during his career with other teams in Europe, so, apart from Fergie, the only other manager who comes anywhere near him is Arsene Wenger but if he stays long enough he will go past the Arsenal manager.
The reason Mourinho is such a good manager, apart from his tactical genius, is that he wasn’t a player. It is really difficult for a great player to become a great manager.
Jose Mourinho refused to make a comment about Arsene Wenger after the Arsenal manager slammed his “lack of respect”. #CFC #AFC
— Pete O’Rourke (@SportsPeteO) May 1, 2015
If you have never been a player then your reputation starts from the moment you become a coach, unlike a former star who often goes into the job with respect already in place and a level of expectation because of what he has done on the pitch.
It is extremely difficult to live up to the adoration you had as a player in the managers seat for any length of time and that’s why many top footballers don’t even attempt it.
Mourinho had to earn the respect of his players by being a great coach and nothing else. If you want to walk the walk, and talk the talk you have to deliver in that role and he has done that, particularly at Stamford Bridge.
As for tomorrow, I can’t see Chelsea slipping up against Palace and I reckon they will wrap up the title in style with a 3-1 victory.
Richard Keys: It is total garbage to have a pop at Mourinho and Chelsea about the way they have set out their stall this season. They are pragmatic, not boring, and they more than deserve their title success.
Maybe Chelsea have been defensive in big games and let the opposition have more of the ball but it has worked. Mourinho said this week that maybe one day when he is watching football with his grandson they will take the goals down and the team with the most possession wins. Point taken.
As for Mourinho’s standing in the list of all time great managers in the Premier League, Fergie does remain the best but if Mourinho stays in the EPL for the next decade he will usurp him because he knows how to win.
If you take his record around Europe into account I think he has already surpassed Wenger by some considerable distance.
Arsene has been phenomenal for the game but if you put the prizes on the shelf Mourinho has been sensational and to leave Chelsea and then come back and win another title just adds to the legend.
On Sunday I think Mourinho will tell his players to go out there, put on a real performance against Palace, ram it down the throats of his critics and prove they can entertain when they want to. 4-0.
I am disappointed that Chelsea won’t be presented with the trophy tomorrow if they win the title. Why should they wait until the last game of the season when it is all orchestrated? Seems wrong to me.
Tottenham v Man City
AG: Tottenham weren’t great against Southampton and City were hardly impressive against Aston Villa last week so I can see these two teams sharing the spoils at White Hart Lane. 2-2.
RK: I have run out of things to say about City. They got the job done against Villa last week but I wasn’t impressed. Spurs are playing well and at home they can win this 2-1.
Man United v West Brom
AG: I would imagine that the United players got both barrels from Louis van Gaal after they were taken apart by Everton last week. I expect a response and I can’t see West Brom coping with what should be a positive performance from the home side. 3-0.
RK: United still don’t do it for me and need some major rebuilding before they are a good side. We saw where they are at Everton. They only reason I think they will beat West Brom is because they are at home. 2-0.
Leicester v Newcastle
AG: Everyone will expect Leicester to win this because they are on a good run and Newcastle are dreadful and that’s why I am going to buck the trend here and say this game will end in a draw. 1-1.
RK: Being beaten by Chelsea in midweek won’t affect Leicester because they wouldn’t have expected anything else and I can’t think of a team they would like to play this week more than Newcastle who are just awful. 2-0.
Aston Villa v Everton
AG: Everton are on a very good run of form and although Villa were beaten by Man City last week I thought they played very well. This is tough to call but I think home advantage could decide it. 2-1.
RK: Confidence will be high in the Everton camp after last week’s result against United but Villa are also playing well so I can’t separate these two. 1-1.
Liverpool v QPR
AG: Liverpool aren’t playing particularly well at the moment but they should have far too much for QPR. Liverpool owe their fans a win after a disappointing week and they will deliver. 2-0.
RK: QPR are just not good enough and although Liverpool are hardly tearing up trees at the moment they are a much better side. 3-0.
Sunderland v Southampton
AG: Sunderland desperately need a win but Southampton are a very good side and I wouldn’t expect them to slip up against a team that looks like they are going down. 1-0 away win.
RK: I can’t disagree with Andy. Sunderland look to be a team on their way out of the Premier League and Southampton are still going strong. 0-2.
Swansea v Stoke
AG: I thought Swansea played really well at Newcastle last week when they won 3-2 and Stoke are pretty good away from home so this will be tight. Home advantage will be crucial. 2-1.
RK: Stoke are not fashionable so they won’t get credit for what has been a tremendous season for them and Mark Hughes, The same could be said for Swansea where Garry Monk has done a fabulous job. 2-2.
West Ham v Burnley
AG: Sean Dyche has done really well with Burnley and they are hanging on in there fighting for their Premier League lives. West Ham desperately need a win and I think they will get it. 2-0.
RK: I would love to see Burnley win this but beating West Ham at home is a big call. However, I think they have great spirit and have enough fight in them to earn a draw. 1-1.
Hull v Arsenal
AG: Hull were terrific against Liverpool in midweek and will go into this match with a lot of confidence but the Gunners are a different story. 1-3.
RK: Arsenal will want to finish the season as runners up so don’t expect them to take their foot off the gas. As much as I would like to see Hull get something out of this it will be a shock if they do. 1-2.
