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Add to Preferred Sources<\/span> <\/a> <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\nGlen Johnson has told Chelsea they need to show Xabi Alonso the kind of patience Arsenal afforded Mikel Arteta.<\/strong><\/p>\n Arsenal won the Premier League title last season under Arteta, but it took years for them to get there. Things were not always plain sailing for the Spaniard.<\/p>\n Like Arteta\u2019s earlier days in north London, Xabi Alonso<\/a> is also having some difficulty. He watched his Chelsea<\/a> side lose 3-0 to Brentford before the international break, and they now sit in 10th place.<\/p>\n Let us know your reasoning! \ud83d\udc47<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Ultimately, it is very unlikely that Chelsea will challenge for the Premier League crown this term. However, Johnson<\/a> can envision them in the equation next year, but only if Alonso is given time to build like Arteta.<\/p>\n In an interview with football.london<\/a>, the former Chelsea and Liverpool defender said: \u201cEveryone needs to do what Arteta has done, right? Because it worked very well. They need this year for building and possibly even next season. <\/p>\n \u201cBut if this season goes well, I can\u2019t rule them out for a title and title race next year. They just need to keep progressing.\u201d<\/p>\n One reason why Chelsea have no chance of being in this season\u2019s title race is their midfield. It is a huge weakness costing them points right now.<\/p>\n Moises Caicedo has not been there to sweep up because of injury, while Enzo Fernandez is no longer at the club to keep the ball and score goals. Chelsea could sign Alex Scott<\/a> in January, but Bournemouth\u2019s determination to retain him until at least the summer makes it seem unlikely.<\/p>\n By then, it would probably be too late anyway. Chelsea are already eight points behind Fernandez\u2019s new team City, and that gap will not decrease if the Blues continue to play as they have lately.<\/p>\n The aim should be the title, even now. Chelsea are one of England\u2019s biggest clubs and invest so much money into their squad each year.<\/p>\n After finishing 10th last season, the main objective will be qualifying for the Champions League. That goal is not out of reach, but Chelsea need to start picking up wins again, starting from this Saturday when they take on Bournemouth.<\/p>\n The bad news is referee Samuel Barrott will be in charge at Stamford Bridge<\/a>, and the Blues have a pretty poor record when he officiates their games. <\/p>\nChelsea needed this break BADLY\u2026 but with so many players racking up minutes for their countries, did it actually help them or could it have made things worse? \ud83e\udd14<\/h3>\n
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<\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\nGlen Johnson thinks Chelsea could be in title race next season<\/h2>\n