If you can't beat 'em join em': Chelsea signs sponsorship deal with energy drink company

Chelsea Football Club is, per the current English Premier League table, currently the 15th-best soccer team in England and the fifth-best team in London. Sixth-best if you count Watford - which we will: Chelsea FC is the sixth-best team in London.

It is, therefore, a team in need of a pick-me-up. Stuck with its current crop of players at least until the January transfer window opens, the club has announced its latest initiative to find that urgently-required boost: a sponsorship deal with Thai company Carabao.

Carabao specializes in pick-me-ups:

"Carabao" is an energy drink that was inspired by the fighting spirit of an individual. It is more than a global energy drink, it is the empowerment to accomplish personal goals.

Carabao symbolizes the spirit of individuals who fight for the cause they believe in. Not by force, but with determination, hence the slogan: " The Fighting Spirit of Carabao"

Per Chelsea's report, Carabao is now a "principal partner" and will have its logo on the club's training kit.

What does this have to do with the New York Red Bulls? Nothing at all. Unless...you care to remember that summer meeting between Chelsea and RBNY which the Red Bulls won 4-2. Jose Mourinho remembers that game. And so too, presumably, do his players, since he has reportedly been reluctant to let them forget it.

Since then, we've also heard rumors about Chelsea sniffing around RBNY's star center back, Matt Miazga. And now the London club has reached out for sponsorship from a Thai energy drink.

Red Bull is a Thai energy drink. We see what you're doing here, Chelsea. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery: so, thank you. And best of luck with your renewed effort to get back to being the best team in London. Copying the best team in New York seems a good place to start.