IT IS AS WELL TO REMEMBER that, despite the champions’ overwhelming superiority, there have been one or two minor creases in their smooth passage towards a second successive title. Indeed, losing 3-0 to Middlesbrough is a pretty big kink and a look at form in the Barclays Premiership in the past five matches puts Chelsea only in mid-table.
The Londoners have conceded 16 goals this season in 26 Premiership matches. They let in only 15 in the whole of last season. Concomitant, perhaps, is an improved goalscoring ratio — two per game instead of 1.89 per game. Still, Liverpool and — surprisingly — Bolton Wanderers have conceded fewer goals at home. Over the past five matches, Everton and Tottenham Hotspur have the best defences.
The Fantasy Game’s moral of the story: if you want to use your transfers to bring in cheaper players to free up money to spend in another position, perhaps it is time to think the unthinkable and consider dropping Petr Cech, John Terry et al.
You do not need to gamble on Everton maintaining their revival. Like Liverpool, Tottenham are very solid at the back and Bolton are tight except for the occasional blip. A goalkeeper such as Jussi Jaaskelainen, or defenders such as Tal Ben Haim, Bruno N’Gotty or Ledley King could save you millions without costing you dozens of points.