Can Chelsea claim the FA Cup trophy in the 2011/12 season?

A little while after Chelsea’s takeover back in June 2003, the London club looked to be a dominant force in the Premier League and each of the other competitions that they featured in.

The Blues seemed to have an unlimited amount of money to burn with the sheer number of transfers made. But recently, Chelsea have floundered and current manager – Andre Villas-Boas – isn’t getting the results required to make an impact on the Premiership, which in turn casts doubts in the mind as to whether Chelsea will be able to conquer the prestigious FA Cup. Those looking at the latest FA Cup betting should remember this.

Chelsea’s last encounter in the FA Cup did not go according to plan as Premier League rivals Everton knocked out The Blues in the Fourth Round. The ties was played at Goodison Park and ended in a 1-1 draw with goals from The Toffees' leading striker Louis Saha in the 62nd minute, and a follow up from Chelsea’s Salomon Kalou in the 75th minute.

The replay proved to be much more exciting with the encounter ending in a penalty shootout with Everton edging the victory at a score of 4-3. The last time Chelsea won an FA Cup was in the 2009/10 season. The result finished favourably for Chelsea as The Blues beat Portsmouth 1-0 with a goal from Ivory Coast international Didier Drogba in the 59th minute.

So, in answer to the question in the title – ‘Can Chelsea claim the FA Cup trophy in the 2011/12 season?’ – The answer to this would have to be no. Villas-Boas’ squad does not currently have the firepower required to overcome the likes of the might Manchester City, or Manchester United.

Although if Villas-Boas acquires the talents of a prolific goal scorer, and bolsters up his shallow defense, then the London club could well succeed.