Despite a setback last weekend, Chelsea fans were smiling again after their mid-week victory over Manchester City.

The Blues look good value for their place at the top of the English Premier League and our landlord cannot see Antonio Conte’s men slipping up despite a late season rally from Tottenham Hotspur.

The Italian has been really impressive in his first season of English football bringing his footballing knowledge and mixing it with his evident passion for the game.

And although this season has been a great team effort from the Stamford Bridge outlet, the Blues in the Transfer Tavern still have some players they feel aren’t pulling their weight this season.

Now, some of these players are justified but our landlord has noted that some of the suggestions from the Chelsea fans have been absolutely ludicrous and he has been researching after hours down in his beer cellar to come up with the points to prove his resident Blues fans wrong.

It has started an interesting debate in the Tavern and some of the punters have left with their tails between their legs.

Here are just TWO members of the Chelsea squad that maybe unfairly are always viewed as scapegoats…

Gary Cahill

Maybe criticised because he isn’t John Terry, there is no doubt that Cahill is currently the best English centre-back in the Premier League.

Our landlord believes the criticism bestowed on the stand in Chelsea captain is absolutely ridiculous and points towards the fact that Cahill is been a vital cog in Chelsea’s rise to the top of the Premier League this season.

He has been the glue that has held this team together this year.

Nemanja Matic

Unrecognised and undervalued, Chelsea fans in the Transfer Tavern are still critical of Matic following his abysmal form last season in what was a shocking season for the Blues.

However, this season has been a different story for the Serbian who has struck up a brilliant partnership with summer signing N’Golo Kante in the middle of Chelsea’s midfield.

On top of that, Matic has also chipped in with 6 assists this season – level with Eden Hazard with only Cesc Fabregas having more.