It’s a new year, the 2nd half of the season is here, the business end as we like to call it. For all Chelsea fans – despite its dire end – 2010 is not a year we would forget too soon. The club’s first double, achieved with entertaining football not seen at the Shed end since the 90’s, goal-scoring gluts not seen since the 60s, all characterized arguably the most successful season in our beloved club’s history. However, now is not the time to reminisce what is now history, but rather we should be focused on what lies ahead. Though Chelsea is passing through a tough period at the moment, the next 7 years should be of more concern. The “30-somethings”, the young players, Carlo’s future and the current transfer policy are key areas of discussion, albeit for another day.
SEASON’S DAWN
Any team can be hit with injuries, but there are key players whose injuries mean things don’t exactly run smoothly. It could be relative to available cover for these players and their general importance to the team, such as Lampard, Terry, Alex and as a result Yury Zhirkov and Yossi Benayoun, became the only other creative influences for backup.
The attacking football Chelsea exhibited last season and early this season saw most of our goals come from the left side, Cole and Malouda constantly interchanging, well ‘linked’ by Lampard. With a brand of football that involves playing the ball on the ground, you obviously need creative midfielders, which we had in Lampard, Ballack, Deco and Joey Cole. We signed only Yossi Benayoun to replace the 3 we lost over the summer – adding Yury and not counting Josh – we presently have only 2.5 creative midfielders at the club. While Lampard was still in the first team, Chelsea played similarly to last season and scored lots of goals, earning praises from the media. Even when Lamps missed the first Champions League game of the season through injury, Yossi was there to create 2 goals in a 4-1 win on his first start. Our first loss then came away at Man City. No lamps (injured), no Yoss (injured), no Yury (benched) and Ramires was piss-poor throughout and gave the ball away for the lone goal of the game. We then beat Arsenal, won against Blackburn and Wolves with Yury providing the main source of creativity in a dull, but solid Chelsea side.
‘CRISIS’ TALK
I don’t believe we were or are in any crisis, it’s all a series of unfortunate events, helped by some horrible decisions at the club. Our major problem is clearly depth, and if players like Matic and Mancienne weren’t given season loans, they could have been recalled to assuage the injury crisis. However, a club in crisis wouldn’t be winless in 6 games and still be in the top four in the league, 7 points away from the top. Much has been said about our attack being impotent, what are they to do with Mikel, Ramires and Essien behind them? They are not exactly the most creative of midfields, but essentially three defensive midfielders and, in my opinion, a recipe for very boring football. I would have welcomed a traditional 4-4-2 formation with Malouda and Kalou on the wings, but who am I to suggest the players we play, certainly not Emenalo and I refuse to go into the Wilkins discussion.
Taking each game one by one, a reason for each loss, or draw, should make you realize that your team is not as bad the media portray them to be.
Uhm.,yea, am in total agreement with everything posted here.
RE ‘CRISIS’ TALK: No crisis? At the level we are now, at a club like Chelsea.. ManUtd.. Barcelona and the like, this form will be upgraded from BAD FORM – to CRISIS and if not dealt with properly, could become a DECLINE. When team morale is low, the impact new signings would normally make is restricted – almost neutralized. Its like a virus and its only a matter of time before the low morale within the group hits them too.
nice1 too
Nice post LL. I understand ur point… but the suggestion is that we won’t bounce back, which I know we will
Felt so hoplsees looking for answers to my questions…until now.
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