Why yes, Chelsea should take the League Cup seriously

Chelsea still has one foot in an injury crisis. The other foot is in a fatigue crisis. The squad is currently gassed and it seems as though every new match brings a new injury. Each new injury further increases the physical burden on the players that are “fit”, which only in turn makes them more likely to get hurt. Were there just a week between games, maybe the Blues could catch a breather. But the run of matches between November and March takes no prisoners and it separates the wheat from the chaff.

The Blues’ draw against Liverpool effectively ends the title race for both teams. Mathematically, it is still possible and the league has thrown curveballs before, but Manchester City’s current 10 point lead on Chelsea and 11 point lead on Liverpool (who have a game in hand) more or less seals the deal. That is even considering City could still lose points directly to Chelsea in the next Premier League match and Liverpool later in the season. Pep Guardiola’s side is simply playing too well to let a gap like that close after Chelsea and Liverpool shared a point rather than either taking three.

Top four is not a worry for Chelsea yet and the points to seal that wouldn’t come against the likes of Manchester City anyways. So now the question becomes one of priorities. At Chelsea football club, silverware always has to prioritized over finishing second or third best. That’s why the League Cup should be taken seriously.

It would be all too easy to look at the match against Tottenham, with Manchester City right after, and decide “it’s just the League Cup”. But, again, the title is practically and realistically gone. Silverware is on the table and Chelsea is separated from Spurs in large part because the former never turns their nose up at silverware.

This goes for the FA Cup and the Club World Cup as well. Chelsea has Chesterfield in the next round and they should be able to rotate heavily and defeat the National League side with whoever they field. That’s just the start, however, as the Blues could and should go for a third FA Cup final in a row. Third time is a charm?

Then there is the Club World Cup, which some have already suggested sending a reserve team to. Again, Chelsea isn’t Spurs. They play for silverware and this is one trophy the club doesn’t have. It’s just two matches, albeit with a ton of travel, but there should be no excuse for the Blues not to take it home.

Champions League will be its own beat latter down the road, but the League Cup could be this season’s foundation for a deep run. Jose Mourinho always loved and wanted the League Cup because it gave his side a taste of success and made them want more. This team just won the Champions League, but the taste of success can fade quicker than one might expect. It’s best to constantly be winning to whet the appetite.

Had Chelsea defeated Liverpool, the match against Manchester City would take priority. The Blues still shouldn’t sandbag it, but if only one game in the next week can be won, it should be the match against Spurs. Ideally, it should be won in such a way that the second leg can be a controlled exercise rather than a frantic workout.

Success against Tottenham would put Chelsea in another cup final. Even if it comes at the expense of the match against Manchester City, there realistically isn’t enough on the line there now to worry. Top four is more or less safe for the moment and those points can be gained elsewhere. It’s time for the Blues to refocus on what is achievable. That starts with the League Cup.