John Terry’s headed winner on his darkest of days opened the floodgates to much poetic prose reflecting on his stoicism and character. But such languid observations failed miserably to add any gloss to this complicated and wretched mess.

Whilst vital to Chelsea’s title assault, Terry’s goal simply added a new twist to the plot of yet another tabloid soap opera featuring a high-profile footballer. And with Wayne Bridge declaring himself unwilling to join the same England squad as Terry, the story is set to run and run.

The ever ironic moral high-ground taken by the tabloid press over the weekend leaves behind a bitter aftertaste. Yes, the crux of their editorial may be correct. But who has ever needed a rocket scientist (or indeed a headline writer) to tell them that infidelity is wrong?

The revelations won’t have exactly rocked the public’s perception of amoral footballers, but for many reasons they are still incredibly sad. Here is a man blessed with talent, wealth, a beautiful young family, but apparently no self-control. Yet even in the light of his alleged sins, shouldn’t we afford the England captain some privacy?

The editors who printed this story will argue that Terry deserves to be publically exposed for his misdemeanours. But do his wife, children and Wayne Bridge deserve the humiliation and embarrassment of the affair being played out in front of millions?

Unfortunately, this type of story is fuelled by a public intrigue that is impossible for the tabloid press to ignore. The millennium has seen the moral compass well and truly discarded in favour of quenching the never-ending thirst for celebrity scandal. If there was a slim chance of Terry saving his marriage, the publication of the story has probably killed it. However, one suspects this barely crossed the mind of the iron-stomached individuals who gave it the green light.

Regardless of his behaviour, the calls for Terry to be stripped of the England captaincy are bordering on ridiculous. For starters, Fabio Capello is the ultimate pragmatist who rightfully knows that removing the captaincy would harm England’s World Cup bid. Such a stance would send out a message of lost faith in the player, which would ultimately damage the confidence of his best defender.

It is impossible not to feel for Wayne Bridge, who has been placed in an untenable position by the whole affair. But harsh as it may seem, he will now have to choose to either get past his differences with Terry or face missing the World Cup.

Those calling for Terry’s metaphorical impeachment are doubtless having their judgement clouded by Big Brother withdrawal symptoms. Although he has a degree of public responsibility as England captain, he is hardly the Prime Minister or Pope. It is a miserable state of affairs when a man in Terry’s privileged position fails to present a good role model for those who look up to him. One day he may look back with regret at this missed opportunity. But in spite of this, he is a professional footballer. As long as he performs this role to the required level, the mistakes which litter his personal life should have no bearing.

However, it is worth mentioning that a saga of this magnitude could well affect professional performance. It’s easily forgotten that David Beckham’s sharp decline in form coincided exactly with his alleged affair with Rebecca Loos. Although he eventually managed to recover to play at a good standard, he never quite reached the world class levels that he exhibited prior to the story.

Marital breakdown is considered one of the most traumatic experiences an individual can face. It’s difficult to quantify just how much the emotional turmoil is compounded when it’s played out in public. For the sake of all involved I hope the story dies soon.

With Chelsea stuttering their way through December and Man United continuing to miss the ruthless presence of Cristiano Ronaldo, neither appear capable of pulling away at the top of the table. Add a surprisingly resilient Arsenal to the equation and many believe a three-way tussle will take us right to the wire in May.

All of which is quite astonishing when you consider Chelsea’s form just over a month ago. In what appeared to be a season defining performance at the Emirates Stadium, it was difficult to argue with those already crowning the West London club worthy champions. Balancing brute force with cold-blooded efficiency, Carlo Ancelotti’s well oiled machine annihilated Arsenal with a showing that won’t be bettered this campaign.

But just as the Stamford Bridge faithful seemed ready to crown Ancelotti rightful heir to Mourinho, Chelsea hit December and a Scolari-esque train-wreck of form. Nine points from a possible eighteen is concern enough, but the level of performance was even more worrying. The impact of the African Cup of Nations has previously been played down, but a stuttering Chelsea without the phenomenal Drogba must concern Ancelotti. Ending January with their two point cushion intact will now represent a massive success.

To most managers, the sale of Ronaldo and Tévez would represent an undisputable crisis. But Sir Alex Ferguson is no mere mortal, and the challenge of retaining the title without these two talismanic figures will have been relished. To be within touching distance at the top, particularly in spite of the poor form of key players is a testimony to the resilience of the Man United manager.

Wayne Rooney’s best season in a Man United shirt and Darren Fletcher’s unlikely development into an accomplished central midfielder have been key to the challenge. And as Antonio Valencia grows in confidence each week, the record of four consecutive league titles looks more and more achievable.

Arsenal’s defeat to Chelsea at the end of November saw the preposterous anti-Wenger brigade sharpening their pencils once again, with the tired accusations of a lack of strength and experience levelled as reasons for a failure to compete. Since then, Arsenal have shown themselves to be a far better side than last season. Once again Wenger has used his limited financial resources brilliantly, replacing Kolo Touré with one of Europe’s most promising central defenders in Thomas Vermaelen.

The patchy form of the top two has undoubtedly helped Arsenal stay in touch, as has the emergence of Aston Villa, Tottenham and Man City. With fourth place no longer a given, they have worked hard to stifle the complacency that had previously been all too evident.

However, Arsenal will still fade in the final third of the season. Not because of their inexperience or lack of physical strength, but due to unfortunate injuries to their two best players. Robin van Persie’s season-long absence and Fàbregas recurring hamstring problems are the equivalent to Chelsea losing Lampard and Drogba. More than enough to scupper a sustained challenge.

With the transfer window already letting in a draught, rumours are rife that both Chelsea and Man United are ready to strengthen. Ancelotti and Ferguson will be acutely aware where their respective squads need reinforcements, but possibly more aware that the transfer window is synonymous with knee-jerk signings. If the red tops are to be believed, both clubs are eyeing battering ram centre-forwards, with Chelsea after Emile Heskey and United considering Porto’s Hulk.

With Michael Owen failing to live up to his ridiculously lofty billing, it is clear that United need a second world class striker. But Ferguson is far too wily to choose the raw Hulk over a summer move for the polished and proven David Villa. In the meantime, the United boss will hope to coax Dimitar Berbatov into the form that prompted his signing from Tottenham two years ago.

Chelsea will also do well to sidestep the short-term fix of Heskey. Daniel Sturridge’s first goals for the club will have been enough to convince Ancelotti that he can hold the fort until the return of Drogba.

However, the potential transfer ban facing Chelsea does pose some intriguing questions. Will they see January as their final opportunity to invest for two years? If so, they may move for Franck Ribéry. With Deco woefully inadequate at the tip of the diamond and Joe Cole struggling to recapture his best form, the Frenchman could be the key in unlocking those stubborn mid-table teams who seem intent on derailing Chelsea’s title challenge.

Regardless of the transfer window, this season’s champions will be the team with the most staying power. Where Man United’s hat-trick of titles was built on the cornerstone of Ronaldo’s individual brilliance, this campaign is all about the best team. The squad that bonds more significantly in the face of adversity will be crowned champions. Keep watching… it won’t be over until May.

Am I the only one who feels sorry for the French captain?

When Henry eventually hangs up his boots he will still be remembered as one of the finest French players of all time. Wednesday’s incident will come to represent nothing but a small blot on the copy book of an immense career, conducted for the most part with grace and intelligence.

The purveyors of the knee jerk scattergun character assassinations should be ashamed of themselves. When the furor eventually dies down and some perspective is realised, some of Henry’s former team mates will look back in embarrassment at their so-called ‘punditry’.

Yes, Thierry cheated. No one is contesting that he handled the ball twice in the lead up to one of the most important goals in French football history. It is generally accepted that the handball was an act of instinct and not some premeditated act of foul play. But the protestations are due to the fact he didn’t immediately confess to the referee. Whilst admirable, such incidents are incredibly rare. And the regularly lauded examples of Fowler and Di Canio occurred in matches with a far lower profile.

The truth is that Thierry Henry is only guilty of a lack of courage and perspective. As William Gallas reeled away in celebration, the Barcelona man failed to take responsibility for his actions. But in all honesty, how many players would genuinely have argued against the goal amidst the adrenaline, intensity and huge national relief?

To be accused of ‘damaging the image of football’ and compared to Diego Maradona, is yet again indicative of a sporting media that has no interest in the middle-ground. Throughout his career Henry has promoted the image of the game far more than most of his peers, and lest we forget that Maradona did not openly admit his mistake, but rather referred to it as the ‘Hand of God’.

In a press conference today, Henry addressed the issue appropriately and apologetically, by admitting embarrassment for his mistake and suggesting that a replay would be the ‘fairest solution’. Although this is unlikely, how about some credit for the French striker’s honesty and responsibility? And dare I say it, but how about some forgiveness?

The best that can come from this incident is the long-overdue use of video evidence during top level football matches. Whilst cricket and tennis have successfully embraced the advantages of modern technology, football stubbornly refuses to move out of the Stone Age. If anything should be blamed for Ireland’s World Cup exit, it is FIFA’s perennial feet dragging on the whole issue.

In tennis, the challenge system gives a player the right to appeal umpire decisions three times in a set. There is no reason why the captain of a football team should not have the same right of appeal. By providing each team three opportunities to challenge penalty box incidents per match, you could make Wednesday’s debacle a thing of the past. Robbie Keane would simply have called on the fourth official to review the footage and the goal would have been disallowed.

With one team’s World Cup dream already shattered, it’s time for FIFA to act now.

The performance of a football team and indeed a coach should be judged over a period of longer than a few months. So regardless of recent form, the more pertinent question to ask is whether Benitez has been a success during his five years at Liverpool?

Since 2004 the Spanish coach has twice achieved silverware, famously with the Champions League triumph of 2005, followed by the FA Cup the following year. With a consistent Champions League showing over the next four seasons and last year’s title push, it could be argued that Benitez has cemented Liverpool’s reputation as a European force whilst maintaining a domestic challenge.

Unfortunately, this will never be enough for a club of Liverpool’s heritage and pedigree, regardless of how competitive English football has been since his arrival. As talk emerges of five year plans, many Liverpool fans are wondering what happened to last five. The Champions League triumph of 2005 is the obvious starting place.

The worst detractors will argue that the legacy of Gerard Houllier had more to do with the Istanbul triumph than the influence of Benitez. Whilst the development of Gerrard and Carragher owes much to the Frenchman, this grossly undervalues the tactical acumen of Benitez, let alone the importance of Xabi Alonso. Although talented, it is highly unlikely Houllier would have plotted such an unexpected European triumph.

But the incredible victory in Istanbul did much to remove the spotlight from Benitez’s average performance in the transfer market during his first season. Although Alonso was an inspired signing, Nunez, Josemi and Morientes were a more reliable indicator of things to come.

If the assembly of a squad designed to challenge Man United’s supremacy was the long-term aim, then there is no doubt that Benitez has failed. The current squad is arguably worse than that he inherited, failing to personify its manager in the same way Chelsea did under Mourinho and Arsenal do under Wenger. Of the Spaniard’s signings, only Torres, Mascherano and Reina provide any significant building blocks for the future.

Moreover, this season’s glaring lack of a first-class striker to support Torres has been embarrassing. Both Voronin and N’Gog would struggle to get into most Premier League sides. This leaves Steven Gerrard shoehorned into the role of second striker, thus relieving the team of their most potent midfield force. In a roundabout way, Benitez’s poor man management skills are to blame…

The lack of respect shown to Xabi Alonso in last year’s pursuit of Gareth Barry left much to be desired. Alonso’s superb performances last season smacked of an ‘I told you so’ attitude and there was little surprise when he jumped at his deserved move to the Bernabeu. Likewise, the poor management of Robbie Keane completely robbed the striker of his confidence. Yes, the Irishman hardly set the world alight in his brief period at Anfield, but a £20 million outlay surely allows for a period of bedding in and adjustment. Keane didn’t become a bad player overnight.

The handling of Keane left Liverpool threadbare as an attacking force, whilst their much publicised financial issues have meant a lack funds for a world class replacement.

Money is an issue that just won’t disappear for Liverpool and this summer’s spending masks deeper problems at Anfield. On the surface they have spent £17 million on Roma’s Aquilani and £18m on Glen Johnson, but in reality the outlay is far less. The fee for Johnson was closer to £10 million due to an outstanding debt Portsmouth owed on Peter Crouch, whilst the Aquilani-Alonso reversal netted a £13 million profit for the club.

We should remember that Benitez’s spending power at Liverpool has always been closer to that of Wenger than Ferguson. With this in mind success relative to outlay has been more than adequate. But where Arsenal currently have a squad packed with young exciting players, Liverpool are left with the perennially frustrating Babel, Lucas and Riera.

Liverpool are in desperate need of a change and although harsh, it seems Benitez has run his course. The likelihood of this happening however, is massively decreased by Gillett and Hicks dreadful management of his contract negotiations. If they want to fire the Spaniard they will have to shell out £20 million in compensation for the privilege.

This financial implication may inadvertently help the club. Although the clamour for Benitez’s head continues to build, he does have one thing going for him – things can only getter better. If he stays there’s no doubt he has the ability to steer the club towards Champions League qualification once again, which is now an absolute must for next season.

The potential departure of Benitez inevitably leads to consideration of the alternatives. But with Kenny Dalglish currently hailed as the potential prodigal son, you do wonder what more he could offer than the current manager. It’s nearly fifteen years since Blackburn won the title and the game has changed a great deal since Kenny was king… much more than when Rafa wore the crown in 2005.

Ahead of a World Cup offering more than the usual blinkered English optimism, the media are yet again intent on throwing the national team off the rails. In the absence of Steve McClaren style calamities on the pitch and Sven-esque intrigue away from it, red top column inches are proving tougher to fill than usual. So with the goalkeeping debate reaching unthinkable realms of dreariness, enter Rio Ferdinand.

The Manchester United defender’s recent high-profile mistakes have opened the door on an unceremonious blanket review of his worth. With poor judgement against Man City and Ukraine providing untimely reminders of his lackadaisical past and Fernando Torres showing him up for pace and strength against Liverpool.

Although there is clearly something amiss, Rio’s consistency over the last three years has done him no favours, only serving to accentuate his current form. Whether a matter of concentration or physical condition, it’s important to retain a degree of sanity over the situation. Suggestions that this is the beginning of the end for one of England’s finest ever centre-backs are ridiculous.

Amidst the cat calls, there are accusations that Rio has too many off the field commitments, particularly with his recent co-funding of British feature film ‘Dead Man Running’. Other than the obvious puns to coincide with his dip in form, this is merely a side project. The facts behind his bad patch are far less glamorous. The simple truth is that Ferdinand’s pre-season was ruined by a thigh injury. He is still building up to full match fitness and sharpness, a fact that Sir Alex Ferguson and Fabio Capello will be acutely aware of.

With South Africa looking like a genuine opportunity for England’s best World Cup since 1990, it is vital Rio is given time and patience, rather than a barrage of criticism in the press. It’s clear he has great ability, but also easy to forget that he thrives on confidence. When undermined, Ferdinand has a tendency to commit uncharacteristic mistakes. But at his ego-driven best he was one of the outstanding England players at the last two World Cups.

Complacency has been suggested as another contributory factor, with Rio’s Man United and England place facing no genuine challenge. However, Matthew Upson’s admirable performances will not have gone unnoticed and as too will Fabio Capello’s lack of regard for reputations.

But in reality, any chance of England lifting the World Cup next year will require an in-form Ferdinand alongside an in-form John Terry. Where Upson is Terry-like in his style, the Man United centre-back provides the perfect foil, with athleticism, anticipation and distribution to match the best in the world. All qualities required from a centre-half when facing the most technically gifted teams on the planet.

For the collective good of the World Cup bid, it’s about time we backed Rio. There’s no denying that he splits the public with his off the field personality and myriad of side projects. But whilst we collectively cringed at the excruciating ‘Merk’d’ of 2006, it should be noted that his soon to be launched ‘Live the Dream Foundation’ indicates a social conscience missing from many of today’s modern stars.

So, in the absence of interesting stories to write about England, I would direct the spotlight towards the amoral Robinho. His recent flirting with Barcelona makes Cristiano Ronaldo’s Madrid courtship look positively bashful. Whilst Man City are hardly anyone’s second team at the moment, you have to sympathise with Mark Hughes. In order to get the neutrals back on side, why not force the ungracious Brazilian to play out the remainder of his contract in the reserves? Let’s face it, they hardly need the money.

Whatever happens, it would be nice to see the pressure lifted from the England players for at least a few months ahead of South Africa 2010.

But as Ipswich Town slide further into trouble, the knives are well and truly out for their controversial manager.

Other than the steadily increasing boos at Portman Road, it has been a tumultuous few weeks for Keane. On one hand Dwight Yorke, Piers Morgan et al. have led a press massacre, whilst on the other he was declared the second richest manger in British football.

But regardless of the rhetoric and media glare, Keane possesses a rare characteristic. He simply doesn’t care what people think.

Whether this ambivalence results in his downfall or becomes the key to future success remains to be seen. He’s already been given the dreaded vote of confidence by the Ipswich board, who would do well to follow through and give him more time.

Aside from the tabloid ramblings of Yorke and predictable prattle of Morgan, the general sway of opinion seems to be that Keane is just too arrogant and opinionated. There is no doubt he has a mouth on him, but how much of a surprise is this given that Clough and Ferguson are his major managerial influences?

It wasn’t long ago that Keane was seen as the rightful heir to both. At Sunderland his outspoken nature was called honesty and eccentricity. But jump forward two years and he is labeled as downright nasty.

The truth is that Keane is probably somewhere between the two. Striking a balance between the hard-nailed edge and self-confidence required to lead a group of footballers. This is why his false start at Ipswich is such a surprise. Of all the young managers in British football he looked best equipped to succeed. And in Ipswich it looked like he had found the perfect ‘low key’ setting.

Unfortunately, ‘low key’ is not a phrase often uttered in the same sentence as Roy Keane. His personality alone is enough to court the spotlight, and for a man who values his privacy, he has generated a huge degree of controversy throughout his career.

In contrast to a Mourinho whose outrageous statements have a psychological function to relieve pressure from his players, when Keane says something he means it. Right or wrong, his exit from the 2002 World Cup was a demonstration of his unbending conviction in his beliefs, whilst ‘prawn sandwich-gate’ and accusations against underperforming Man United team mates demonstrate the courage to stand behind them.

Given the nature of his departure, it would be easy to lose perspective on Keane’s achievements with Sunderland. With no prior managerial experience, he took the Black Cats from second bottom in the Championship to the Premier League in his first season, and left the club significantly better off than when he joined.

It would have been all too obvious to walk into a mid-table Premier League outfit after Sunderland. But Keane opted to build something at Ipswich. And whilst no one would have anticipated such a woeful start to the season, rebuilding does take time.

Keane’s famous uncompromising honesty was on show recently when he suggested he could have been lucky at Sunderland and was possibly “being found out” by recent results. But amidst Ipswich’s failings bad luck has played a part, with late goals costing them five points in their last four matches. With their next six games against teams in the bottom half of the Championship, Keane will be itching for the end of the international break.

The likelihood is that Roy Keane will turn things around in the short term at Portman Road. But it’s his temperament that will have the biggest bearing on his future success.  He has demonstrated with Sunderland and Ireland that he is not afraid of walking away. This is something he will need to get over in order to fulfill his potential. Let’s hope his current club provides him the opportunity to do so.

Whilst they have hardly charmed the football purists with their aggressive transfer policy, their Arsenal-style disposal of Arsenal should have been a big step towards some positive PR. Sadly, the headlines were made for altogether different reasons.

But looking past the fleeting controversy surrounding a certain Togolese striker, Saturday’s benchmark performance raises an important question… What does long-term success look like for Manchester City?

For the answer, I would ask Roman Abramovich.

In spite of two league titles, the Russian’s vast investment has failed to reap the dividends he had hoped for. A haul of domestic trophies may have been enough appease Chelsea’s success-starved fans, but it barely scrapes the owner’s long term expectations.

For an investment approaching a billion pounds, Roman Abramovich has every right to wonder just what went wrong. The plan was to make Chelsea an internationally admired super-brand, but six years on he finds himself at a club reviled by governing bodies, disliked by the press and despised by neutrals.

Much of the disdain stems from the idea that Chelsea have bought their success; a cross Man City are bearing even before challenging for honours. But in time the investment of Sheikh Mansour will reap trophies and then the real challenge of removing this stigma will begin.

In order to succeed, Man City will need to add an ingredient which has always been missing at Stamford Bridge. Football which captivates and captures the imagination of neutrals.

Although Man City’s emotionally charged victory over Arsenal demonstrated what they are capable of as an attacking force, it’s worth remembering that their other victories this season have been solid unremarkable performances. In Mark Hughes, they have a manager who will develop a side primarily built for results. This backbone and resilience is the foundation for any degree of success in English football. Just ask Alex Ferguson or José Mourinho.

Arsenal may have won a lot of admirers over the last few years, but they haven’t won a trophy since 2005. What they wouldn’t give now for a combative spoiler in the mould of Nigel de Jong? Add the determination of Barry, Tévez and Lescott and we see a team developing very much in the mould of the manager. Mark Hughes might not be the most obvious choice for a club with such astronomical expectations, but by keeping him on the owners may have pulled off a masterstroke.

It would have been all too easy to bring in a high-profile manager and a parade of Robinho style marquee players this summer. But in Hughes, Man City’s owners have held on to a shrewd operator who will get results. They might not play blistering football this season, but they have a great chance of breaking the top four and qualifying for the Champions League.

And what of the entertaining football? The long suffering faithful won’t care less about ‘Brand Man City’ if they win the league. But one suspects the owners will eventually expect Barcelona-style football lighting up European nights at Eastlands.

If their vast financial clout is combined with a degree of patience, Man City could just succeed where Chelsea have failed. In Robinho, Wright-Phillips and Stephen Ireland they already have players who can illuminate a big occasion, and where better to start than in the back yard of bitter rivals Man United on Sunday.

It wasn’t so long ago that Eduardo cut a figure of huge public sympathy after sustaining a harrowing and career-threatening injury against Birmingham City. Then, earlier this year he was hailed a paragon of determination and bravery following his fight back to fitness. But today Eduardo is a villain and cheat. Period.

Well, that’s what some sections of the sporting media will have you believe.

The truth is that Eduardo is actually quite unfortunate. He did what every centre-forward will do at least once in their career. Sadly for him, he executed it dreadfully in a match with massive financial implications.

All of this is not to condone Eduardo’s behaviour. He cheated and has rightly been banned. But amidst the rhetoric and sniping about UEFA’s punishment for the Croatian, a far more interesting question has arisen. When is a dive a dive?

Just three days later, the penalty earned by Wayne Rooney against Arsenal took on even greater scrutiny. On first look it appeared to be a clear spot-kick, with Manuel Almunia making contact with the player and not the ball. But a repeat viewing in slow-motion reveals that Rooney was already on his way down before the collision. Therefore suggesting he manufactured contact with the keeper to garner the decision.

Although we’ll never know the truth of Rooney’s intentions, it begs the question, was it still a penalty and is there an art to diving?

Regardless of Rooney’s early descent, it could be argued that referee Mike Dean was still correct to award a penalty kick. Although it hardly seems fair, to the letter of the law, Almunia missed the ball and fouled the player.

In a utopian world of honest footballers, Wayne Rooney would have done everything he could to hurdle the oncoming keeper and chase down the ball. Sadly that world doesn’t exist and for decades centre-forwards have been ‘earning’ penalties in a similar manner.

So where is the line drawn between ‘earning’ and cheating? Is there a significant difference between blatantly diving and manufacturing contact? Possibly a small ethical advantage goes to the latter, where at least there is a minor element of skill involved.
 
The furor has been further heightened by the fact that Wayne Rooney is an English player. But our misplaced sense of superiority about fair play is outdated and arrogant. Tired clichés of cheating foreigners should have died out with Jurgen Klinsmann a decade ago. Look beyond the stereotypes and you’ll have noticed Andy Johnson, Robbie Keane and Michael Owen proving to be just as canny as their continental counterparts.

Earlier this week Scotland keeper Craig Gordon was castigated for suggesting that the rewards reaped by Eduardo’s dive were worth the ban. But as we approach South Africa 2010, one wonders how vociferous the anti-diving movement would be if Rooney helped England ‘earn’ the World Cup next summer?

Privately, the Italian coach will be delighted with the opening three victories. But in public the pragmatic ex-Milan boss is playing down his team’s start. And who can blame him?

Last summer it was all too similar. Luiz Felipe Scolari’s team stormed to six victories out of eight, and with Deco pulling the strings it was difficult to find a pundit who didn’t think Chelsea would win the title. But less than six months later Scolari was sacked and Guus Hiddink was left to salvage the ruins of Chelsea’s season.

So what does Carlo Ancelotti have to do to avoid the same fate? The simple answer is to be more successful in encounters against title competitors. Last year Chelsea only achieved four points from a possible eighteen in toothless showings against Man United, Liverpool and Arsenal.

Leading up to the October visit of Liverpool, Chelsea have four very winnable league fixtures. In order to be ready for this first major test, Carlo Ancelotti must use these games to decide on his best starting eleven.

His key decisions will rest on the midfield quartet, and most Chelsea fans will tell you the four should read Mikel, Essien, Lampard and Malouda. They are absolutely right. Unfortunately for Ancelotti, he was focused on managing Milan at the beginning of last season and misses the benefit of such hindsight. Therefore, the marquee names of Ballack and Deco have induced an understandable blindness of judgement in the new Chelsea manager.

Over the last decade both players have been hailed as the ‘best midfielder in the world’, and although both still have much to offer, neither merit a regular place in Chelsea’s starting line-up.

Whilst retaining his unquestionable flair, Deco lacks the physical presence for the intensity of the English game, whilst Ballack has never impressed for Chelsea in the imperious manner his reputation was built upon. If managed correctly, these players offer a major advantage as impact substitutes. But a revolving door starting eleven rarely succeeds - just ask Claudio Ranieri.

So for Deco and Ballack, read Frank Lampard and Michael Essien as the superior midfield option. Since 2001, Frank Lampard has watched as international superstars have arrived and failed to dislodge him as Chelsea’s premier midfielder. Fortunately, the significance of the England international has not escaped Ancelotti, who has made him the one immovable fixture in midfield so far this season. Michael Essien was rested against Fulham, but the sooner the same lesson is learned about the Ghanaian, the better for Chelsea.

In the front positions, Ancelotti has gambled successfully with the pairing of Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka. The growing rapport between the pair was in evidence against Fulham as they stylishly laid on goals for one another. In a modern game so preoccupied with the lone striker, it makes for a refreshing sight to see an old fashioned partnership hitting it off.

However, it is a whole lot easier to select two strikers against Fulham and Hull than it is against Man United or Arsenal. Whether Chelsea will continue with the pairing against more dangerous opponents will be an acid test of Ancelotti’s intentions. Particularly given that Didier Drogba is probably the best in the world at playing the lone role. With this in Chelsea’s armory the temptation to leave Anelka on the bench may be too much for crucial matches.

Three of Chelsea’s next four games are against Burnley, Stoke and Wigan. With the greatest respect to the opposition, these matches represent a huge opportunity for Carlo Ancelotti to discover the truth about his new squad. If the study period goes well, he might just still find himself in a job come May.

Inevitably, the over-hyped opening round of fixtures failed to live up to their lofty billing. Not due to a lack of entertainment, goals or controversy, but simply because the league season is a marathon and not a sprint. Other than Rafa Benitez complaining about referees, it’s difficult to take much from the weekend as a sign of things to come.

All of which leaves room for optimism at Anfield, and scope for realism at Arsenal.

There isn’t a more breathtaking sight in English football than Arsenal in full fluid motion. Their demolition of Everton was an impressive statement of intent and in the mercurial Cesc Fàbregas they possess one of the finest midfielders in the world. But he must have wondered where the entire Everton team had gone before he fired in Arsenal’s fifth goal.

Even the diehard purist couldn’t deny how much Everton’s woeful showing contributed to the result on Saturday. Joleon Lescott related or not, this performance was completely out of character for a David Moyes team. One suspects it will be a long time before another opponent is granted the freedom of Goodison again.

But sometimes a hefty defeat is the perfect way to begin the season. In 2004, Arsenal beat Everton 4-1 on the opening day and following that defeat Moyes’ men won seven of their next nine matches, subsequently securing their best ever Premier League finish. Arsenal, on the other hand failed to continue their momentum, falling 12 points short of Chelsea in their quest to retain the title.

This year the title race will be much closer, but Arsenal will once again lack the strength and depth to maintain a challenge. Their toughest test will be holding on to the fourth Champions League berth given the emergence of Man City and their North London neighbours.

And what of the other title hopefuls? On Sunday Liverpool were very poor, but they were beaten by a developing Tottenham side who continue to improve under Harry Redknapp. In spite of the disappointment and histrionics of their coach, there are reasons to be cheerful for Liverpool after this false start.

With the double departure of Ronaldo and Tévez, there is now little to choose between the respective squads of Liverpool, Chelsea and Man United. Although Liverpool suffered defeat at the weekend, Chelsea and Man United were hardly imperious in their home victories.

Individual brilliance exists in abundance across all three squads, but amongst them there is no single player who will provide the title-winning difference of a Ronaldo or previously, a Cantona. Instead, the key to this year’s title race is dependent wholly on the sum of the parts. It may sound obvious but the best team will win.

The smart money should be on Liverpool. Aside from the departure of Alonso, they have experienced the least upheaval. Whilst Chelsea adapt to another new manager and Man United experiment with Rooney, Liverpool maintain continuity in coach, system and squad.

Only time will tell, but this season represents Liverpool’s best chance of winning their first title in 20 years - regardless of what happened on the opening day.