And my last blame goes on the lack of leaders in the team, Drogba was far bigger than just a 3rd choice striker last season for us. John Terry is known as the leader on the pitch but when it comes to unity of the dressing room Drogba was the man you could see that. Chelsea needed a win 2011 Champions League group game 6 at home vs Valencia and who takes the team talk pre-match on the pitch..... Drogba. Every time we won a trophy he was at the forefront of the celebrations, he would be a bigger signing even as a coach than any manager/player we could get this transfer window.
Rant over....... for now.
You forgetting Cech. Losing both Drogba and Cech was a massive blow for leadrishp. But that was hard choice to make as he wanted and deserved first team place.
I think these points are valid for every club. Not many players are leaders now, in the past when you see players you can see them as natural leaders. Now you see players like Henderson with their fake aggression just because they have armband it makes anyone cringe.
For example when Chelsea won titles, they had Terry, Carvalho, Cole, Lampard, Essien, Drogba and many others who were just leaders. Anyone could have got armband (maybe except Cole).
With ManUtd they had Vidic, Rio, VDS, Evra, Giggs, Neville. Before that era they had Great Dane, Keane, Stam, Beckham, Irwin who were all leaders.
Arsenal had players like Campbell, Vieira, Henry and few others who were all worthy of arm bands.
Now in each team it's hard to pick 1 player as a leader, nevermind 4-5 leaders in the same team.
Also one more good example is Inter. When they won treble they had Zanetti, Lucio, Samuel, Cambiasso, Maicon, Cesar, Stankovic who were all big presence and very influential. Now their captain is Icardi.