This weekend, Carlo Ancelotti compared his role at Chelsea to that of Ferguson at Man Utd,
claiming his role was technical only: he is not the ‘manager'. This has helped kick-start the
debate we love so much: should all power be placed in the hands of the manager, or can a more
‘continental' approach do the job?
Another weekend, another loss. Three weekends in a row, now: is losing becoming a habit for the
champions? Well, no. But things aren't pretty on the pitch at the moment.
Off the pitch however, things are probably worse. Just as Chelsea seemed to be throwing a past of
almost continual behind-the-scenes turmoil behind them, Ray Wilkins' departure chucked a large,
slightly rusting spanner in the Cobham works.
Part of the price ‘big clubs' pay for their status is greater scrutiny of every win, loss,
piece of individual genius and mistake.
Up until recently, Chelsea experienced a very specific type of scrutiny. A huge 2010 saw Chelsea
not only win the double, but also become utterly ruthless in front of goal.
England's fortunate 2-1 loss to a rejuvenated French side last night saw another file added to
the international side's library of underwhelming performances. The collection has started to
overflow of late.
But it's all a bit confusing. Normally when England disappoint it's because John Terry has sown
disharmony throughout the squad (through any number of tried and tested egotistical tactics) or is
an over-rated Sunday league footballer.
Like last Monday, today's journey into work took an unfamiliar feel. Same bus, same journey,
same dreary monotony...save one detail. Normally my morning routine involves catching up with the
latest football headlines on Sky Sports News, before casting my eyes over the online news on the
bus.
Not today, not last week.
Well, I can only apologise. If there are any readers out there who, starved of sensible,
long-winded and tediously-wordy posts on Chelsea Football Club, have suffered withdrawal symptoms
without a regular bridgeviews.co.uk fix, I would be surprised. But on the off chance that those
people do exist, bridgeviews.
Ok, so perhaps calling the departure of Joe Cole, Michael Ballack and Juliano Belletti on free
transfers, and the sale of Mirolsav Stoch, an ‘exodous' is pushing it a bit far. But now – four
weeks after those exits were announced – news of probably departures still outweighs any rumoured
purchases at the Stamford Bridge club.
Ok, so perhaps calling the departure of Joe Cole, Michael Ballack and Juliano Belletti on free
transfers, and the sale of Mirolsav Stoch, an ‘exodous' is pushing it a bit far. But now – four
weeks after those exits were announced – news of probably departures still outweighs any rumoured
purchases at the Stamford Bridge club.
If the reign of Fabio Capello has taught us anything, it surely must be that hiring an expensive
foreign ‘master tactician' is no silver bullet for success.
Not that Capello has proved himself the ‘Professor of Football' that many proclaimed him to be.
During the World Cup qualifying campaign he proved himself a sensible manager, ready and willing to
make rational decisions and follow through with them.
If the reign of Fabio Capello has taught us anything, it surely must be that hiring an expensive
foreign ‘master tactician' is no silver bullet for success.
Not that Capello has proved himself the ‘Professor of Football' that many proclaimed him to be.
During the World Cup qualifying campaign he proved himself a sensible manager, ready and willing to
make rational decisions and follow through with them.
Even the most devout supporter of Chelsea's free-scoring number eight would find it difficult to
argue that Frank Lampard has been at his best for England over the past couple of years. Whilst
never deserving of some of the criticism he has received from some ‘fans' and journalists – and
continuing to rack up the goals for his country – he certainly hasn't replicated the excellent
form he has so consistently delivered for his club.
Even the most devout supporter of Chelsea's free-scoring number eight would find it difficult to
argue that Frank Lampard has been at his best for England over the past couple of years. Whilst
never deserving of some of the criticism he has received from some ‘fans' and journalists – and
continuing to rack up the goals for his country – he certainly hasn't replicated the excellent
form he has so consistently delivered for his club.
Just about two weeks ago now Chelsea announced that three players – Juliano Belletti, Michael
Ballack and Joe Cole – would not have their contracts renewed and would be leaving the club.
Speculation suggests that, regardless of the amounts Chelsea are (or are not) willing to shell out
on new players, it is going to be a summer of change at Stamford Bridge.
Just about two weeks ago now Chelsea announced that three players – Juliano Belletti, Michael
Ballack and Joe Cole – would not have their contracts renewed and would be leaving the club.
Speculation suggests that, regardless of the amounts Chelsea are (or are not) willing to shell out
on new players, it is going to be a summer of change at Stamford Bridge.
All the recent media talk involving Joe Cole has been around how Capello should use him to
inject some life into his almost paralytic England team. They are right. As he has done at Chelsea,
Joe Cole has the potential to offer the ailing England team something it does not have without him
– that flash of ‘fantasy' that is a prized asset at even the best teams on the planet.
