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Chelsea boss and April’s Manager of the Month Avram Grant believes the Blues are the form team as we approach the very end of the season run-in…
The Blues boss had been criticised during the first few months of his tenure for being unable to compete in big game fixtures. He was seen as an average manager who, purely on the merit of his strong squad, managed to roll over teams residing mid-table or below, but could not challenge the big boys.


He has since beaten Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool and is two games away from a Premier League and Champions League double, which would be the first in Chelsea’s history.

The Israeli has paid homage to the team for producing in the big games, as they now prepare to face Bolton Wanderers at home on Sunday, the final day of the league season.

“There is no doubt about this, in the last month we have played very good games,” declared Grant. “The best football at the right times against big teams and big managers. You need every minute to think what to do against them.”

Two marks against Grant’s record remain in the form of the Carling Cup final defeat against Tottenham Hotspur and the FA Cup elimination at the hands of Barnsley. He has since all but atoned for these errors; without picking up silverware, he has brought his side back into the hunt for two trophies that were said to be beyond them this season.

While they are almost certain to pick up three points against a Bolton side who have all but sealed Premier League safety, the problem lies in needing their rivals, Manchester United, to slip up away to Wigan Athletic.

The former director of football insisted he was proud of the side whatever happens, emphasising the effort it took to take Sir Alex Ferguson’s best ever Manchester United side to the final day of the season level on points, and take Chelsea to their first ever Champions League final - something not even Jose Mourinho, Grant’s incredibly successful predecessor could manage.

“Whatever happens on Sunday I will be very proud of what we have done this season,” insisted Grant. “Alex [Ferguson] said a few months ago it was the best Manchester United side since he’s been coaching. We’ve given a battle. If they take the title, and I’m not sure they will, it will be on goal difference.

“The players showed by themselves good character and quality. When we had bad moments we had good recovery, which is important.

“It’s not easy when you are chasing. My job is to make decisions and take responsibility for those decisions. I must say the players did a good job. On the other hand there were many, many tough decisions during the season about players. It’s my job to take responsibility.”

With Chelsea needing a favour, Grant is confident that Wigan are a bigger threat than many realise: “Wigan haven’t lost at home since January.

“They played fantastic against us at Stamford Bridge and they know they are in the spotlight all over the world. I think they will do their best. We hope everything will be OK. Nobody expected us to be at this stage but we believed all the time.”

Chet Winter, Goal.com

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