Despite all his current problems, from an ageing team, to a defence leaking more goals than my tap does water, all this talk of sacking 34-year-old Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas would seem to be rather justified. But, sacking another manager five months into his tenure at the club would solve what? The same proble
m Abramovich has tried to resolve since his arrival in 2003? It solves nothing, and as easy as it is to just get rid of AVB and bring in the next fool to take over this illustrious job, the club is already making some solid movements to becoming the force to be reckoned with.
Questions can be raised over AVB's tactical awareness in recent matches, after a run of horrendous form has seen defeats against QPR, Arsenal, Liverpool and Bayer Leverkusen. However, we must not exempt the players from their responsbilities in representing their club on the field. For all his "inexperience" at a level like this, AVB created something historic at FC Porto last season, winning the Portuguese league, and also becoming the youngest manager to obtain the Europa League. To question his ability as a manager is bizarre. To question his structural balance within his current crop of players is relevant though.
His ability to reinstall and create a new sense of attacking flair at Chelsea Football Club has been ever prominent this season, but in building this new attack-minded approach, the former mentor of Jose Mourinho has completely forgotten the basis on which Chelsea have been known for years - a defence. AVB needs to find a solution, and quickly, and he needs to even more quickly create a balance between his side's attacking flair and a defensive structure.
Petr Cech's time is nearly up. His error for the winner from Leverkusen and numerous mistakes over the past few years make him vulnerable, and sadly the once great keeper has looked a miniature compared to when he first joined from Rennes. Maybe Stephen Hunt may have something to do with that. Thibaut Courtois is quickly breathing down his neck, and despite a two-year loan to Athletico Madrid, Chelsea could well see themselves calling him back sooner than they'd like to replace to uncomfortable looking Czech international.
Branislav Ivanovic is the only defender who seems capable of not making a mistake this season so far. Jose Bosingwa has been in terrific form since AVB's arrival, but his sending off at QPR cast doubts over his ability at right-back. David Luiz has been heavily criticised this season for being too attack-minded, leaving Chelsea short at the back on countless occassions, and leaving partner and captain John Terry to pick up the pieces. But even Terry's future at the club hangs in the balance. It's fair to say Terry's ability as a solid defender and world class leader is unquestionable, but his frailties lie within the media and his constant reputation for off-the-field antics. Where is the defender who puts his heart and soul into everything? Where is Chelsea's captain? For the last three years his actions of the field, and reputation in the press has made Terry a vulnerable target, and for Chelsea supporters, this is a target they cannot afford to drag along on the pitch anymore. Terry's tenure at the club has to be over. His numerous simple mistakes, his lack of pace, his off-field distractions and his lack of interest in what he does best seem to be overshadowing the career of the once great central defender. Ashley Cole is somebody who's future at the club needs to be analysed. His mistake to leave Glen Johnson free at Stamford Bridge is a classic example of what only the minority have been shouting for years. Ashley Cole is not the best left back in the world. Simple. Cole spends too much time arguing with the officials he forgets why he is on the pitch. From a personal view, I feel for Alex. His lack of passion in the dying minutes against Leverkusen meant he was easily beaten to a ball he should have cleared, and the German side managed to finish the game with all three points. But who can blame him? AVB's lack of faith in him make him a huge problem within the ranks.
The midfield is building and improving with time, but it still lacks that dogged creator. Chelsea greatly miss Michael Essien. He battles, he fights, he commits. Chelsea miss that. John Obi Mikel is too simple, and for somebody dubbed as 'the next Makelele', his opportunity to prove that tag is true was long gone. Raul Meireles needs more playing time. Frank Lampard, despite his ageing legs will always be a key player for the club. He's a game changer, a creator, and one of the best passers of a football in the world. Ramires had an impressive start but is going through his yearly spot of form where he is neither good nor bad. Florent Malouda also seems to be a major problem in the midfield. Just a shadow of the man we saw under Guus Hiddink and Carlo Ancelotti, Malouda has once again become the man we first saw at Chelsea. Confused, looking out of his depth, and sluggish. A trip back to France may soon be calling for the former Lyon winger. Calls for Oriol Romeu and Josh McEachran to receive starting calls grow ever stronger, and the opportunity to blood some energetic youth into this lacklustre midfield trio may need to be taken now.
Didier Drogba still has something to offer to Chelsea. His brute force, goalscoring prowess and vision make him a vital player in the short-term planning at Chelsea. Nicolas Anelka also has something to offer, but it is suggested his departure from Stamford Bridge is sooner than some fans may expect
with a move away in January looking likely.
The future of Salomon Kalou still remains unclear, although his effort, speed and persistency never ceases to amaze me. For a player who is consistently resorted to taking a seat in the stands or on the bench, he remains to be an annoying player for opposition wing-backs to defend against. Still at a relatively young age, maybe these young shoulders can create some old life in the Chelsea attack, but AVB's inability to find a starting slot for him may find see his chances at the Bridge become more and more limited.
The future revolves around four more players, and despite the criticism. Fernando Torres will shine. The quetsion is when? There is something within the Spaniard which is still to power through this dark time in his career. His still lacks that cutting edge effect, but some performances this season still show the quality the striker possesses. Is his number up already though? For a £50million signing, he is racking up some huge doubters, and his recent drop to the bench make him suspectical to even more disharmony, but AVB must pursue with Torres. His natural instinct make him a worthwhile signing, albeit not for his price tag, but a worthwhile one nonetheless. Juan Mata (pictured above) is the fire in Chelsea's belly this season. An important signing for the Blues, and a player they have been craving ever since the instrumental Gianfranco Zola left the club back in 2003. His pace,vision and creativity are a delight, and with him and young Daniel Sturridge on the wings, both players have proven to be Chelsea's biggest threats this season. It is key AVB realises these players are the future of the football club, and he needs to realise that the core of his team will no longer be the old guard, but for the young terriers. This leaves one name who has been cast into the shadows this season - Romelu Lukaku. The Belgian striker has not had the chance to prove his worth. AVB is being careful with Lukaku. He does not want to create a seed of doubt amongst critics and supporters about the youngster's career. But, Lukaku must be given the experience now if he is to succeed Didier Drogba. If Drogba goes, and Lukaku fills the spot, then Chelsea are stuck. They will have a striker, younger than 20, with so little Premier League game time that his career will mirror the one set by Andriy Shevchenko during his time in London. AVB is being careful, but he's being too careful. Lukaku's brute strength, pace and flexibility make him Drogba's perfect successor, but AVB must find that space for him to contribute if Chelsea are to begin their change of tide.
AVB is the man, but his need to introduce his squad players is ever stronger than before. He has players waiting, chomping at the bit to prove their point. He needs fire. He needs passion. He needs something new. The old breed is dying, and AVB has to understand that his club needs to centralise its new future around five key players. Branislav Ivanovic, Raul Meireles, Juan Mata, Daniel Sturridge, and Fernando Torres.
