The most common back four for Chelsea so far this season has been Johnson, Terry, Gallas and Bridge. But that doesn't necessarily make it our best back four.

For all of the rubbish that comes out of his mouth, Marcel Desailly is still the best defender that Chelsea have... or have ever had! In short, he can make the defenders around him look good, albeit not as well as he used to.

So when you see Desailly getting caught out for a goal, it is often because he is trying to help out one of his teammates. But it makes him look bad!

Sol Campbell is widely regarded as the best English defender. Why, I do not know!

The guy has no sense of positioning and the number of times he gets bailed out is astounding. When England had a brilliant defence at the 2002 World Cup, it was down to Rio. Sorry all of you Rio bashers, but he made Sol look good.

It's a similar situation Chelsea are in. We have a couple of exceptional young defenders in JT and Gallas. But both still let themselves down fairly often with their poor positioning- not so much JT, mainly Gallas. They are the future of Chelsea's defence, with the key word being future! As long as Dessa is here, and fit, he must play!

Now to the full backs. Regulars on the Chelsea Mad messageboard will know my thoughts on Celestine Babayaro, but I will share them with you again for those that don't read the messageboard...

Celestine Babayaro is the best full back at Chelsea. He has had one bad season with us (obviously last season) and he is seen as a liability now by most fans. That is harsh criticism for a player who has bags of experience for his age, and a player who has performed admirably throughout his Chelsea career.

Wayne Bridge is improving and I think he will be a very good player for us... in time. But consider this. Graeme Le Saux recently revealed that he had decided to leave Chelsea just days after the end of the season. Well before Roman came along and well before Wayne Bridge came along.

Why had he decided to leave? Well, for starters, I understand that he wasn't offered the contract that he had wanted. But he also touched upon the fact that, at his age, he needed to be playing regular first team football. How would he know he was not going to be a regular before Bridge was signed. Simple- Baba was going to be first choice! It's the only explanation I can think of...

Therefore, once he returns to full fitness, I can see Baba being drafted into the defence for a run in the team.

Now on to the final void to be filled- that of the right back position. Glen Johnson is the current occupier of that position. But his red card against Lazio is counting against him at present, as it has allowed Mario Melchiot a chance. Mario took his goal against Southampton well but, more importantly, was solid in defence.

A good performance against Sparta Parague could see Mario retain his place for a while yet. And we all know he'd love to start against Man United again! He's only scored four goals in a Chelsea shirt, and two of those were against Man Yoo!


Got any thoughts on the Chelsea back four?? Want to see your thoughts as an article on this website? Then get in touch with me, and be a part of the Chelsea Mad Fan View!