THIS weekend could see Chelsea crowned champions of England ...

with three games to spare.

Jose Mourinho's men have undoubtedly been the best team in the Barclays Premier League this season, but what does that say about the game south of the border that bills itself as the best in the world?

Millions still enjoy it, but there is a legitimate question about its status.

I think anyone who is fair-minded and watches football from around the globe, will tell you it's not the finest in the land.

It's exciting, yes, and has its pluses, but I don't think it has the upper tier of footballer in its ranks.

It has some very good players and some very good teams, but it is not exactly the halcyon period of the Premier League.

People talk about its depth and how any team can beat anyone else, but it is not the only league out there to boast that.

If you look at the best players in each position, there are not many, if any, in the Premier League who would make it into an All-Star XI.

Don't get me wrong, it is still a great product and it's hard to get away from it. I just think moving forward a bit the clubs must be asked if they are getting their scouting right.

We all know it is certainly the richest league in the world, so given its financial clout, why is it struggling to attract the best players?

Are the clubs being lazy with it? That's a legitimate question.

Going back to Chelsea, it puts matters into perspective when you look at the Champions League semi-finalists and the Stamford Bridge side are nowhere to be seen.

It is always the acid test of how your teams stack up in the continent when they go into the tournament, and maybe back in 2005 or 2010, you could argue the Premier League had the best clubs when you look at Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool.

The English clubs have a lot of catching up to do. We saw how Chelsea were completely outwitted by Paris St Germain who, in turn, were taken to the cleaners by Barcelona. That's where the London club are in the pecking order.

It is a bit of a climb at the moment. I'm not saying it's not possible for English sides to do it, but it's time they did their homework a bit better before they make the grade.

Closer to home, it's also a massive weekend for a team you don't normally hear me talk about - Morton.

It's the big one this afternoon at Cappielow as Peterhead come calling, with victory likely to bring the Ton back into the Championship at the first time of asking.

Given the league next year will likely contain local rivals St Mirren and, possibly, both Rangers or Hibs, it will be a fantastic achievement for everyone at the club club if they can get over the line.

They have a fine manager in Jim Duffy who commands respect, and I'm sure his team would be a strong addition to what is set to be a formidable line-up in Scotland's second tier next season.