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Chelsea must now buy Alexis Sanchez

By Barrett Rouen

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 18: Alexis Sanchez of Arsenal is challenged by Davinson Sanchez of Tottenham during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur at Emirates Stadium on November 18, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 18: Alexis Sanchez of Arsenal is challenged by Davinson Sanchez of Tottenham during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur at Emirates Stadium on November 18, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /
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Chelsea must now recover from their title-challenge ending loss to West Ham by buying Alexis Sanchez in January and focusing on the Champions League.

Chelsea FC are no longer competing for the Premier League title. Don’t lie to yourself. Manchester City are not only classy and beautiful but consistent and possessing the sort of fighting spirit that true champions are built on. This new Chelsea generation has yet to find that same heart.

They can find it though in the Champions League and they should. Chelsea are famous giant killers. Those unbelievable Barcelona teams that featured Messi, Iniesta, Ronaldinho and Eto’o as well as Xavi and Henry felled all before them and yet somehow it was Chelsea who fought for England against them. Though Manchester United dominated during those years in the league Chelsea were the team that represented England with the most spirit in the Champions League. They can do so again.

It must start with a fire lighting spirit lifting signing in January. Chelsea have been chasing Alex Sandro for ages but with the player cup-tied it is unlikely he’ll sign in January. He’s too important of a player and would be too expensive for it to be likely that the club would simply accept his absence in the most prominent competition in world football. Especially when it is the only one that they are competing in anymore.

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That is why that signing should be Alexis Sanchez. As was evidenced in the match against West Ham Chelsea can at times struggle for ideas and attacking creativity. They’re inconsistent and if Eden Hazard can’t break through then the rest of the team lacks that ability. Enter Sanchez. Teams will no longer be able to simply bully Hazard into submission and worry about only stifling him. Giving too much attention to Hazard will make more room for Sanchez and Morata and they’ll be able to attack with far more intent.

Chelsea will be able to make far progress in the Champions League and maybe even win it with their focus now only on requalifying for the competition instead of chasing City. City will be distracted by the league and Manchester United will probably refocus on the Champions League as well thus making the race for second in the Premier League easier. Liverpool are inconsistent and not betting material and Tottenham are a real threat with their talent and genius-in- residence Mauricio Pochettino.

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Real Madrid are weak this season and Barcelona are still not up to the usual standard following the loss of Neymar. If Chelsea can add the quality of Sanchez this year and the unusual way it has unfolded so far could be unbelievably beneficial to the blues. Sanchez, Morata, Hazard is a dangerous team and with a Champions League focus they could very well be a destructive ones for years to come.

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