So we sit here today, after last night's defeat at Old Trafford, finding ourselves now out of the Uefa champions league in a season where we have already been knocked of the FA cup and ruled out of the premiership title race....so where where exactly do we go from here? In many ways this season will be considered by many as a disastrous season which had promised so much with a more than satisfying start to the season that seemed to be a perfect follow up from the achievements of the previous season. However, what we had not expected was our free fall in form that effectively ended any hopes of retaining the title half way through this season.
There are many that believe that Carlo Ancelloti's days at Chelsea are now numbered and he is effectively a dead man walking. I have to agree somewhat with this as I do not see Carlo here next season. However, do not get me wrong I do not by any means agree that this is the right way to proceed forward, but given Roman's track record in patience with managers, it is almost inevitable that come the start of next season there will be a new man in charge at Stamford Bridge.
Is changing manager the right way to go about things....?
Personally, I think we should keep Carlo till the end of his contract at least. Stability is one thing that Chelsea have never really had and by having frequent changes we cannot build for long term success. Take a look at Sir Alex Ferguson for example. No one can deny the amount of consistent success he has had at Man-Ure, but had they not kept faith in him initially when he first became their manager it would never have happened. Yes, Carlo has made mistakes this season and along with the team he has also, at times under performed. However, we have to remember that this is the same man that got us the double last season for the first time in our history, and surely that must count for something!
At Old Trafford last night we were all disappointed, but it had a feeling that it had been coming. Over the two legs, we can't argue that united were the better team. despite our penalty claim in the first leg, we still did not put on performances that would have seen us through. At Old Trafford last night, I was worried with what Carlo had up his sleeve and was suspecting that it could be a mistake to leave Drogba on the bench and instead favour Torres. If Carlo wanted to start with Torres, he should have perhaps played him together with Benayoun on the pitch, as the pair of them seem to have an understanding and on Saturday against Wigan they put on a good performance, albeit without any goals. Indeed Carlo did make changes for the second half and Drogba did score a goal, which gave us a glimmer of hope for a minute, but for this one Carlo did make a mistake in leaving Drogba, a proven goalscorer with us.....on the bench.
Carlo's mistakes aside, we have been performing under par this season and it may be time to rebuild the team for next season. What is important now is to finish the season on a high and keep our chins up, and to potentially look into how to rebuild for next season. If we are to achieve success again next season, both Carlo and the team will need to step up a gear and not be afraid to make drastic changes. Torres, although costing Mr Abramovich a large sum of money to prise him away from the scousers, he has not been the hit man up front that we would have hoped as yet. However, the key difference here at Chelsea with his role at Liverpool is that at Anfield he was the main man, where as here he has come in where Drogba has already been the main man for the last few years. Torres will probably need a good pre-season to fully settle into the team, but if he is to fit in and become a hit up front, changes will need to be made to the team, otherwise he could end up like another Shevchenco, which we all don't want.
In order to rebuild, I think some major changes will need to be made. We are currently struggling to find goals up front, whereas Sturridge, on loan at Bolton has been scoring left, right and centre! I think he has a big part to play at Chelsea and should become one of the main men up front. However is it possible for people like Sturridge and Torres to be prominent goal scoring features in the first team when we already have people like Drogba, Anelka, Kalou and Malouda in the pecking order??
I think not. Thatis why I believe that it might be the right time to say goodbye to some of our more experienced players such as Kalou or Malouda in order to perhaps give the others a chance to succeed as a successful team. Even the most reliable members of the team such as Essien, have been below par this season, and Carlo should really consider what role they have in the team next season, and he should not be afraid to change things for the better! There are those that think Drogba will be first through the exit door this summer, especially with Torres now in the pecking order. However, I believe that while we should give people like Strurridge and Torres the chance to form into a rebuilt team for next season, Drogba is and has been a proven goal scorer, as he showed on Tuesday night, and it is in my view that we should keep him around for atleast one more season to ease the transition of the team into a new era. Drogba and Anelka have found us many goals up front, and I believe that they can continue this next season, even if it is only a bit part in the squad. Torres, on the other hand, I believe will get the goals once he is settled, and we should judge him by how he does in his first full season, which would be next season. If by the end of next season Torres, is still not finding his feet, then only would it be time to cut our losses on the £50m man. However, lets stay optimistic that he will come good, and prove doubters wrong, that is isn't just another Shevchenco.
Next season, I can see a Brazilian theme to the team, with the boys from Brazil; Alex, Luiz and Ramires playing crucial roles, which could be very exciting. Also I believe that the younger players such as Kakuta, Mceachran etc should have a larger role in the first team. Players such as Kakuta, Sturridge, Mceachran have all shown promising sign this season, whether it be at Chelsea or out on loan, and if Carlo can build a successful team around such players along with some experience it could provide the perfect mix for success, and Carlo could leave behind a real legacy at Chelsea, if he does not stay beyond his contract in 2012.
So for now lets just support the team with loyalty and pride, and lets have a good end to the season!
Whether Carlo stays or goes and whether the team will see a major overhaul in the summer, remains to be seen but one thing is for sure:
We are Chelsea- Don't worry about a thing, coz everything is gonna to be alright!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LanCLS_hIo4
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