TALK is now turning to Chelsea's chances of completing a unique quadruple as Jose Mourinho's men attempt to sweep the board in the Premiership, Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup.

It's an interesting debate but, as has been proven over the years, it's very difficult to win three, let alone four. It's also true to say that there's always a little slip-up somewhere down the line.

Personally, I don't think the quadruple is a possibility. It's too much.

There will be a lot of pressure and tension and the expectation is rising now and I think to win any of the four trophies is magnificent. The Champions League is based on consistency and they will come up against other teams that have spent a lot on quality but in the FA Cup you can slip up anytime, anywhere and they have still got to overcome Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United in the League Cup.

In the Premier League, everywhere they go now people want to beat them and I'm sure the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal and Everton won't be lying down for them. They have the strength in depth to change things around but they face a lot of massive games.

Having said that, they do have a fantastic squad and have spent a lot of money. Roman Abramovich's millions have been fantastic and have brought quality in but they have rode their luck as well.

Clean sheets are also important and teams don't score against them regularly. We are trying to instil that into our team because, even though it's nice to go forward, the basis of any quality side is a solid defence.

Chelsea have scrambled some 1-0 wins but, in addition to that, they have so many individual players that can win games with a little flash of brilliance. Damien Duff and Joe Cole are match-winners and Didier Drogba and Mateja Kezman are both showing us what they can do now.

At the back, John Terry has been different class and he's probably having his best ever season. He must have a great relationship with Mourinho because he's been a real rock. He's a major influence at the back as a talker and organiser and then you've got Frank Lampard who's always steady in midfield.

Off the pitch, Mourinho's a very confident and arrogant man and I think you need a bit of that because it rubs off on your players.

However, I didn't feel he did himself any favours after winning the Champions League final with Porto last year when he walked off the pitch without having his picture taken with the team. There was talk about him being threatened but I think he lost the respect of a lot of people.

I also think he displayed a bad attitude when he ran down the touchline at Old Trafford after knocking out Manchester United. I like to celebrate goals but I think he took things a bit far then.

Having said that, since he's come to this country, he might still be a bit arrogant but his team has done the talking for him. You can get away with arrogance while your side is doing well but if things start going wrong then he might not look as clever.

There is also the possibility that his public persona is different to his private one and I know somebody I used to work with at Swindon, who now coaches Chelsea's under seven to u14 players, who says he is a great fellow.

Arsenal and Manchester United remain Chelsea's biggest rivals in England. United have had one or two hiccups which happens because it's hard to continue winning things year in, year out. I also think they have signed some players over the last few years that have not lived up to expectations, whereas Arsenal have always bought well and play terrific football so I wouldn't write them off.

Should Chelsea complete the quadruple or come close then the debate will open again as to whether they are the best ever English club side. I think there's three teams who could challenge for that accolade.

The Manchester United treble-winning team of 1999 had tremendous flair. In the Champions League final everybody was trawling out of the Nou Camp before they won it with two late goals with the same flashes of brilliance Chelsea are capable of.

Arsenal going unbeaten in the Premiership for a whole season and 49 games was a marvellous achievement. Before then, the benchmark for a title-winning campaign was losing about five matches.

The Liverpool sides of the 1980s must also be considered as nobody normally got anywhere near them.

Chelsea cannot be mentioned in the same breath, but should they do the quadruple they might even eclipse such fantastic sides.

Updated: 11:21 Thursday, January 13, 2005