Time Running Out For Chelsea

With a restrained but triumphant punch in the air, Jose Mourinho celebrated Samuel Eto'os strike and signalled the end of Chelsea's latest attempt to land the one prize that continues to elude Roman Abramovich. The prize he craves the most. How ironic then that it was the man he hastily kicked out the door who this time kicked Chelsea out of the competition.

In truth it was no less than Inter deserved. It was just reward for what was a fabulous performance at a venue that is hardly welcoming to opposing teams. Nullifying Chelsea's attack, they countered brilliantly on the break when the opportunities arose. Indeed, Chelsea were reduced to few real chances of note, and when they did manage to turn the screw they were met by a wall of resistance in Samuel and Lucio (it must be said however that the legality of the defending on show could strongly be called into question on multiple occasions).

While being knocked out is in itself a major disappointment to a Chelsea side so desperate to add 'old big ears' to their trophy collection, there is an added reason why yet another knockout blow in this competition is so devastating - the squad is getting old.

It is well documented that the team is aging. Indeed when it seemed like the club was to be hit with a transfer embargo during the Kakuta row, the big worry was that the team would be badly affected due to the age of the players. That worry hasn't gone away even of the ban has.

Frank Lampard, Ricardo Carvalho, John Terry, Michael Ballack, Didier Drogba, Florent Malouda, Nicolas Anelka. Key players for Chelsea, the spine of their team, all getting old. Too old? Not yet, but that time is fast approaching. Players such as Lampard and Terry cannot go on forever. Injuries apart, when do either get rested? Their form has dropped alarmingly this year and while Terry's can possibly be explained away by his indiscretions off the field, Lampard cannot really point to external factors for this years relative loss of form.

All of which of course means that the Russian in charge will have to get his cheque book out again. This team doesn't need major surgery right now. But pivotal players like Terry, Lampard, and Drogba need to be helped and eventually replaced. Someone would do well to translate the old saying 'a stitch in time saves nine' for the billionaire. Either that, or the trophy he covets most may well continue to be the one that gets away.