Birmingham City vs Chelsea Match Preview
Brian Moore, Dec 25th 2009
A good run of form suggests Birmingham have the quality to take a major scalp as they climb the Premier League ladder. Chelsea face losing the services of several key African players for international duty in January, and they’ll be looking to build up points ahead of their departure.
As a player at Aberdeen Birmingham manager Alex McLeish was schooled on the game by none other than the great Scot himself, Sir Alex Ferguson. The younger Alex will undoubtedly have learned a thing or two about management from his senior countryman, and this may be a factor in Birmingham’s success in the Premier League this season.
Unbeaten in nine games, and having notched up five consecutive wins until their draw with Everton last week, Birmingham look set to continue climbing the ladder. They sit 7th in the table going into this weekend’s match, just one point behind Manchester City.
Battle of The Blues Bands
But defensive concerns undoubtedly worry Alex McLeish this week. His center-back duo of Roger Johnson and Liam Ridgewell may be doubtful for the match against Chelsea. Against another team McLeish might be a little less concerned since his squad has the depth to get results through attack. But Chelsea are a different matter altogether. Granted, Nicolas Anelka will be unavailable through injury, but Didier Drogba will certainly feature, and the big Ivorian is plenty able to bulge the onion bag. McLeish will need a solid back line on Saturday if he hopes to come out of the match with any points.
Regardless of the result against Chelsea, Birmingham’s coffers are said to be bountiful, and McLeish may have as much as $40 million to spend in the January transfer window. But if he wins on Saturday he may decide he doesn’t need it.
Chelsea’s edge in need of honing
Several untidy displays in recent weeks have blunted the razor sharp edge that carried Chelsea clear at the top of the Premier League early on this season, and Carlo Ancelotti will be very aware that despite Manchester United’s poor form, he would be unwise to count the Red Devils out.
Set plays have been problematic for Chelsea in the run up to the Holiday fixtures and Ancelotti will certainly want to put his men through their defensive paces in training.
The African Nation’s Cup looms large
As the New Year approaches however, Chelsea will lose the services of key African players. Didier Drogba and
Salomon Kalou have been called up by their country to compete in the African Nations Cup, which starts January 10. More to the point, these two stars have been called up early, and although they’ll be available for the Birmingham match, they won’t again be back until their international obligation is fulfilled.
Injuries also plague Chelsea. Michael Essien is out. And even if available he’d be called up for Ghana. Injured too is Jose Bosingwa. Under the circumstances, however, the biggest injury loss at the moment is Nicolas Anelka. Lacking another experienced striker, Carlo Ancelotti will have to rely on youngsters from the reserves Fabio Borini and Daniel Sturridge after Saturday.
Having failed to pick up points against local rivals West Ham last week, and facing another London rival on Monday when Fulham visits Stamford Bridge, Chelsea will view a win in Birmingham as a confidence builder and a reaffirmation of their hegemony in the English Premier League.
