It’s been a roller coaster few weeks; poor form looked to be
turning around before disappointment against Wigan and poor finishing against
Tottenham left us fourth in the table with no real prospect of mounting a title
challenge and, if we are realistic, looking over our shoulder in the fight for
Champions League qualification next season. While we are busy laughing at the
Manchester clubs’ exit from this year’s competition we should note that both
are likely to finish ahead of us in the Premiership and that we might not even
get the CL group stage next season if we are not careful!
So, what has gone wrong? Where is the squad too lightweight? Where
must we strengthen?
Management
Let me start with management. There has been lots of ‘Trust in AVB’
crap (for that is what it is) with fans borrowing a phrase used by Scousers
with regard the hopeless Rafa Benitez and Gooners with regard Arse W*n*er. However,
there has also been plenty of crap giving the contradicting view that he should
get the chop.
Why are both views crap? The ‘Trust in’ camp need to realise that
blind faith is rarely a good thing especially in someone yet to prove himself
while the ‘give him the chop’ camp need to gain perspective.
AVB came with a short but exceptional record but, as I have stated
more than once, came untested by the kind of challenges that come with a
downturn in form, with rebuilding a squad, with anything close to Premier
League type pressure. In short, I would not have offered him the job but now he
is here he deserves the chance to make amends for Carlo Ancelotti’s oversight
in allowing a squad to both age and get thin without taking action. That task
is not a small one and should we even fail to qualify for next season’s Europa
League AVB must be given the opportunity to rebuild. Sacking him will only
leave his replacement with the same squad and same task.
The Squad
That squad is looking desperately thin. Last season it was exposed
when injuries to Lampard, Essien and Drogba left the team struggling in the
middle part of the season. This season the picture is worse, especially if (God
forbid) we have another couple of long term injuries.
Goalkeeper
Petr Cech has been at fault for both of the last two goals
conceded but is still a world class keeper. But what if he should succumb to
injury? Hilario and Turnbull are competent but would we really be comfortable
if either had to have a long run in the side? They’re okay for occasional cover
but not much more. We need better cover for Petr Cech especially given growing rumours
his knees are ‘fragile’.
Defence
We have some serious problems here. JT continues to be a legend
and Ashley Cole although no longer at his peak is still by far the best left
back in English football. David Luiz is good and will improve and Branislav
Ivanovic has provided competent cover both at right back and centrally. The
less said about Jose Bosingwa the better and Paulo Ferreira is a loyal servant
but, for all his great game v the Spuds, is at the tail end of a career. It
says everything about the squad’s problems at right back when the injured
Essien, a midfield player, is our best right back by far!
As a minimum we probably need one if not two right backs and another
central defender preferably one with pace.
Midfield
I am less concerned about the ability we have in the middle than I
was at the start of the season although quantity is still lacking. Romeu has
been a revelation relegating Mikel to competent cover in that holding position.
I’ve made no secret of the fact I am not a John Obi fan but as cover, he’ll do.
Whether he’ll be happy with that is another matter. Lampard is still brilliant
but AVB is right to use him more sparingly and to get the most out of his
twilight years. Ramires has improved no end, while Mereiles is mostly good but needs
to show more consistency. Essien has yet to come back and we can only hope two
long term knee injuries have not reduced his desire, energy or confidence. Then
there is Josh McEachran, one for the future and who surely deserves more
playing time, not to say needs it, for his development – perhaps a January
loan?
Our midfield has got ability without depth, energy without quality
and creativity. We need at least one midfield player of quality, an artist to
match the industry.
Up Front
Thank F*** for Danny Sturridge and Juan Mata! I include Mata up
front although have little doubt he could also provide the artistry our
midfield lacks but what would that do to our front three (assuming we continue
to play the same system)?
Nicolas Anelka has gone and had passed his sell by date anyway and
Didier Drogba still looks good in flashes but, though we love him, is no longer
the Drog of old. Salomon Kalou? Well if he is the answer someone is asking the
wrong question! Florent Malouda comes out and goes in with the sun and his
inconsistency in a side desperately needing players to ‘turn up and be counted’
adds him to my transfer list. Danny Sturridge has been brilliant (despite
wasted chances) and will get better. Lukaku? I remain to be convinced but will
be happy to be as wrong as I was about Ramires.
I know I haven’t mentioned Torres but I’m not convinced we signed
the right player. Yes, he was quality but was he made for Chelsea or would we
need to change too much else to accommodate the player he was. As for the
player he is? Blind loyalty aside; the jury must be out. The African Cup of
Nations offers him what, to me, should be his last chance to rediscover old form.
Nonetheless, even should the real Fernando Torres stand up, for a
team which aspires to Champions League and Premiership glory our attack is
under-whelming and only one injury away from being threadbare. We need at least
two more decent strikers to back our likely end of season preferred trio of
Mata, Sturridge, and El Nino.
Ah yes, the African Cup of Nations! Don’t get me wrong there are
some fantastic African players out there and I love watching the tournament but
please Chelsea, don’t sign any more Africans!
I do however think about the youngsters who can be added to bolster the
team, not forgetting that surrounding them with the right quality will bring
them through far better.
It was only a couple of seasons ago I smugly looked at other sides
and played the game of ‘how many of your players would make it into our team?’
It was rarely more than one or two, very occasionally three. Now? Against the
Spuds possibly only four of our starting eleven would have made theirs. You may
agree with me on that or disagree but surely you will accept my argument that
we simply do not have the quality or the depth required right now.
AVB must start to earn that trust some fans talk about by
beginning the rebuilding process with some sound purchases and some difficult
decisions on who to let go come January and (given it won’t all be done in one go) again in the
summer.
KTBFFH
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