Thierry Henry has been speaking in the Sun (£) about Chelsea’s midweek crash out of the Champions League.
Jose Mourinho’s men came in for heavy criticism for a number of reasons, including their style of play, (lack of) respect for the referee and general cheaty ways.
But Henry has taken the opportunity to defend Mourinho’s men rather than stick the knife in further which, I guess, is what separates him from the rest of us.
Henry said
“Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea got a fair amount of stick for their Champions League exit to Paris Saint-Germain.
“I understand the criticism but you have to say Chelsea are a brilliant side at what they do.
“Maybe it is not what people want to see but you don’t go out to please people — you go to win.
“It looks as though they will win the Premier League after already lifting the Capital One Cup — and two cups in any season is very impressive.
“When they went 2-1 up in extra-time I thought ‘typical Chelsea’ — only to see the uncharacteristic lapse. I felt sorry for Zlatan Ibrahimovic and understood why he was annoyed with his red card.
“Was “babies” the right word for him to describe the Chelsea players after they surrounded the ref? I am not so sure.
“I have said stuff after games and then watched myself on TV and thought it looked weird.”
With Manchester City throwing away their chance of retaining the league title by losing at Burnley and not appearing to be at all bothered, Arsenal now have the chance to claim second place with only one point between the sides.
Thoughts of ‘what might have been’ had Arsenal not spent half the season with less than half a squad because of injuries will not be far from people’s minds, but with a great chance to win the FA Cup again this season (and become the most successful side ever in that competition), a second place finish in addition to a trophy would represent an improved season and give fans renewed optimism that if (IF) they can keep three-quarters of their squad fit next year they will be able to put in a sustained title challenge.
For this year, however, it seems destined to go to Stamford Bridge.