![[champions] Chelsea x Juventus : 1](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3642/3310828336_3c491e78b7.jpg) |
| [photo by Crystian Cruz] |
- by Tyler Walter, writing from Fairfax, VA
Some doubt was brought up during their excessive swoon (which might end with their 2-0 victory they posted over Blackburn yesterday), which is understandable. It’s hardly impressive to tie Everton and Aston Villa, given their current form, at Stamford Bridge, and get routed by Sunderland, even if they’re having an exceptional campaign.
Their seven-match winless streak did bring their Champions League birth into jeopardy, and it is fun imagining what it would be like to see someone like Chelsea in the Europa League, and a team like Bolton competing against top European opposition. I’m not dismissing the possibilities of that happening, but given the shortcomings of Bolton and the hopeful resurrection of Chelsea, it is likely we’ll see Chelsea back in the Champions League next year, and potentially Bolton playing in the Europa League; which is nothing for them to be ashamed of.
Although it took a few weeks following the conclusion of Champions League Group Stage fixtures, Chelsea have finally snapped their losing ways earlier this month, and lately...they’ve retained just that.
Adding an additional six matches across the continent, along with traveling fairly long distances are taxing on any club, regardless of star power. And with their knockout game well over a month away, it leaves plentiful time for the team to put focus back into the Premier League and claw their way back into a direct bye to Group Stage.
During that time, they will be on the road against Bolton and Everton. While it is certainly not the easiest places to compete at, it is not out of the question that they can pull away with a couple of points at Rebook and Goodison.
Who knows, this past win could have been all they need to restart their winning ways.
