It doesn't take a lot for many to cry "crisis" while talking about Chelsea. Back to back defeats, injuries to 3-4 starters, shortage of sandwiches in the stadium cafeteria, global warming.. the media are super-quick to flash dramatic headlines about the Blues. Players are unhappy, the manager is under the pressure, Roman's about to pull the trigger, and what not. (Well, the last one does turn out to be true from time to time.) If the reports after the Basel game are to be believed, Jose's homecoming is already a disaster.
To be fair to the critics, Chelsea haven't exactly covered themselves in glory over the last 5 days. While it was erratic finishing that cost them against Everton, they were plain mediocre against a spirited Basel side on Wednesday. It's surprising, really. When it all began on a sunny afternoon on the opening day against Hull, Chelsea were magnificent for the first half an hour. There were talks of them storming away with the title, like in Jose's first season in England in 2004-05. And after that, they just disappeared. The aura around the Bridge because of Mourinho's second coming already seems to be evaporating, and the Blues have no one but themselves to blame.
The transfer dealings:
While most of the talk around Stamford Bridge has focused on the return of the "Happy One", Chelsea's transfers over the summer haven't been scrutinized too much. There's no doubt that the likes of Schurrle and Willian are top-class footballers, and van Ginkel can develop into a long-term midfield anchorman, the question is whether they are what Chelsea needed the most. The West Londoners haven't really managed to replace Didier Drogba ever since his departure. Fernando Torres huffed and puffed since then, along with Demba Ba to little avail. And after a prolonged public pursuit of Wayne Rooney, it was a kind of an anti-climax to end up with Samuel Eto'o. One of the most feared strikers in Europe a few years ago, Eto'o is hardly the same player these days though. And even though he may get better with match sharpness over the next few games, doubts remain on whether he really suits Chelsea's forward needs.
While Drogba was the focal point of all Chelsea's attacks, Eto'o seems to have the tendency to drift out wide often, which leaves the team with no target up front. With the Blues possessing an embarrassment of riches in terms of play-makers, it's vital for them to have a striker who just stays up front and scores goals rather than doing anything else. Romelu Lukaku would have been the most obvious solution. But the Belgian's desire to get regular playing time in a World Cup year means Chelsea are instead left with 3 big-name under-performing strikers. Based on comparative current forms, Chelsea's front-line does make an ominous reading for the fans.
The Mata Conundrum:
This is where even the hardcore supporters are feeling baffled. They love their "Special One" unconditionally. But benching the team's Player of the Year for last 2 consecutive seasons may prove to be too much. The Blues have sorely missed Mata, and the worst thing is, they have missed him while he's been available all along. Mourinho said that two years of continuous football has taken the toll on the Spaniard, and he'll take time to be fit again. But just how long can he afford to claim Mata as a vital part of his team, and continue to keep him away from the starting XI, that remains to be seen.
It's been claimed that Mata isn't a Mourinho type of player, because he doesn't always track back to help his defenders. True, Oscar offers much more with his relentless pressing in that position, but Mata's ability to create chances out of thin air is almost unparalleled. How many play-makers are out there really with finesse like his in world football? David Silva has been out injured. Fabregas perhaps. Ozil. Goetze maybe. That's about that. Chelsea just simply can't afford to not use someone of his stature and then moan about lack of creativity.
It might seem there's too much negativity around the Stamford Bridge right now, but it's too early to be panicking. The title challenges don't get over in September. Well, not unless you are Liverpool. (Even they seem to be extending their challenge-over moment a bit this season). So just a gentle reminder to all the restless Chelsea fans out there. Keep calm, and believe in the "Happy One". There might be plenty of crises around the world right now, but this ain't one of them.
To be fair to the critics, Chelsea haven't exactly covered themselves in glory over the last 5 days. While it was erratic finishing that cost them against Everton, they were plain mediocre against a spirited Basel side on Wednesday. It's surprising, really. When it all began on a sunny afternoon on the opening day against Hull, Chelsea were magnificent for the first half an hour. There were talks of them storming away with the title, like in Jose's first season in England in 2004-05. And after that, they just disappeared. The aura around the Bridge because of Mourinho's second coming already seems to be evaporating, and the Blues have no one but themselves to blame.
The transfer dealings:
While most of the talk around Stamford Bridge has focused on the return of the "Happy One", Chelsea's transfers over the summer haven't been scrutinized too much. There's no doubt that the likes of Schurrle and Willian are top-class footballers, and van Ginkel can develop into a long-term midfield anchorman, the question is whether they are what Chelsea needed the most. The West Londoners haven't really managed to replace Didier Drogba ever since his departure. Fernando Torres huffed and puffed since then, along with Demba Ba to little avail. And after a prolonged public pursuit of Wayne Rooney, it was a kind of an anti-climax to end up with Samuel Eto'o. One of the most feared strikers in Europe a few years ago, Eto'o is hardly the same player these days though. And even though he may get better with match sharpness over the next few games, doubts remain on whether he really suits Chelsea's forward needs.
While Drogba was the focal point of all Chelsea's attacks, Eto'o seems to have the tendency to drift out wide often, which leaves the team with no target up front. With the Blues possessing an embarrassment of riches in terms of play-makers, it's vital for them to have a striker who just stays up front and scores goals rather than doing anything else. Romelu Lukaku would have been the most obvious solution. But the Belgian's desire to get regular playing time in a World Cup year means Chelsea are instead left with 3 big-name under-performing strikers. Based on comparative current forms, Chelsea's front-line does make an ominous reading for the fans.
The Mata Conundrum:
This is where even the hardcore supporters are feeling baffled. They love their "Special One" unconditionally. But benching the team's Player of the Year for last 2 consecutive seasons may prove to be too much. The Blues have sorely missed Mata, and the worst thing is, they have missed him while he's been available all along. Mourinho said that two years of continuous football has taken the toll on the Spaniard, and he'll take time to be fit again. But just how long can he afford to claim Mata as a vital part of his team, and continue to keep him away from the starting XI, that remains to be seen.
It's been claimed that Mata isn't a Mourinho type of player, because he doesn't always track back to help his defenders. True, Oscar offers much more with his relentless pressing in that position, but Mata's ability to create chances out of thin air is almost unparalleled. How many play-makers are out there really with finesse like his in world football? David Silva has been out injured. Fabregas perhaps. Ozil. Goetze maybe. That's about that. Chelsea just simply can't afford to not use someone of his stature and then moan about lack of creativity.
It might seem there's too much negativity around the Stamford Bridge right now, but it's too early to be panicking. The title challenges don't get over in September. Well, not unless you are Liverpool. (Even they seem to be extending their challenge-over moment a bit this season). So just a gentle reminder to all the restless Chelsea fans out there. Keep calm, and believe in the "Happy One". There might be plenty of crises around the world right now, but this ain't one of them.
