Chelsea FC
Preview
UCL/ECC wins : 0
The new kids on the block are spending cash like there is no tomorrow. Wholesale changes from one Summer to the Next until something is won. Chelsea are surely the worst negotiators in the market as they don't have the concept of bargaining. Then again winning is important to them and the price at which the victory comes is insignificant. New coach arrived in the Summer -> A winner. New players arrived and a new philosophy is introduced at the Bridge now which is to win first and then worry about the other factors. It works in Europe as well. Chelsea are Arsenal's direct rivals this season for the EPL title as well as Europe in a way.
Chelsea did eliminate Arsenal last season but they went out in the very next round themselves while Arsenal rejoiced in their historic record breaking season. This season both London clubs are on a roll and winning their games. The London Derby will be special.
Abramovich wants to spend his hard earned WHITE MONEY (
) but he also wants to be the next Berlusconi in footballing terms with success and also copy Perez' marketing policy to make Chelsea one of the most renowned names around. Chelsea does not have the pulling power YET to attract ambitious world class players (already big names) and that is a bit of a problem for them. They can get a world class player like Carvalho as he is just beginning an adventure but it is hard for them to get Samuel because Chelsea lacks the history and pedigree. Abramovich is trying to change that.
Offence
1/2
-> Gudjohnsen
-> Drogba
-> Kezman
-> Mutu
All players are young and good. Apart from Eidur it will be interesting to see how the others perform in Europe. Eidur has been there and done well. Kezman, Drogba are in a new side with a stronger midfield supporting them now. Mutu is more or less fourth choice unless he does great things when given the chance. Drogba can be dangerous as he is talented but I would still like to see him to do what he did in the UEFA Cup in this competition. That was one season. It is better to see out a player for a couple of seasons first.
Kezman has pace and is a prolific goalscorer. He has his chance now to do special things. It is a good offence and Mourinho should stick with a definitive starting partnership rather than shuffling the strikers every other game. Too much rotation is not good.
Midfield
1/2
-> Lampard
-> Duff
-> Robben
-> Makelele
-> Smertin
-> Parker
-> Tiago
-> Geremi
-> Cole
It is a very good set of midfield players for Mourinho's system. It has options and diversity. However looking at the list there is no one who is a leader in the midfield. Real has Zidane, Milan has Pirlo, Barcelona has Ronaldinhos, Arsenal has Vieira, Juve has Nedved, Bayern has Ballack, Liverpool has Gerrard, Roma has Totti etc. Lampard is good .. make no mistake but he is not a leader in midfield. I have said this before and will repeat that a leader in midfield is required to get your hands on the UCL. Chelsea's midfield SET of players is good as a group but there is not a leader there. That is their weak point at this moment.
Hence the reliance will be on the midfield group as a whole to perform so that they can cover up the missing link that is the midfield maestro how controls the game for them.
Defence
-> Terry
-> Carvalho
-> Gallas
-> Bridge
-> Johnsen
-> Ferreira
-> Babayaro
-> Morais
It is one of the best defences in this tournament. Players for specific positions and good ones at that! The fullbacks are good and the defenders are pacy so won't get caught out. Good in the air and physically strong enough as well. Chelsea was tough to break down but with Mourinho they will have more discipline. They will keep things tight at the back with the midfield also helping them out to shut out shop. Their new scorelines reflect that already.
I wonder if Mourinho would experiment with a 3 man backline with Gallas-Carvalho-Terry. He has plenty of options looking at the squad.
Goalkeeper
-> Cech / Cudicini
Well covered.
Starting Line-Up
4-1-2-1-2
This line-up is not certain as Mourinho will play the players on merit. I have just picked the starting 11 randomly.
-----------------------Cech--------------------------
-
--Ferreira-----Carvalho------Terry---------Bridge-----
-
---------------------Makelele------------------------
-
---------Robben-------------------Duff--------------
-
----------------------Lampard-----------------------
-
--------------Gudjohnsen------Drogba----------------
Multiple options so this cannot be a definitive line-up. I put Robben there so that he can cut in and take a shot as he is good at it. Smertin can play in place of Duff to provide the solidity that Mourinho will require from his team so that it doesn't over indulge in attacking outright. It depends on the situation and game so it will change from time to time. It is a good side and a young side that can improve. There is no leader in midfield in this squad and that should be Chelsea's next signing.
Mourinho has been extremely successful in his short stint as coach. His track record shows that his sides don't lose many games. So he will be a handful for his opponents. One goal let alone one defeat is enough to exit the UCL. Mourinho better make sure that the game his side loses comes at the worst possible time. Chelsea should have a good run in the competition.