So Juan Mata has been signed, signed to provide the creative link the club desperately needs, and signed to finally solve the Fernando Torres conundrum. It sounds good in theory but in practice it’s a little more complicated, it always is with Chelsea.
Mata will provide the guile that the club have been yearning for, but Villas Boas can not afford to rely one player, he has to start blooding the youngsters at his disposal to make sure Chelsea have any chance of keeping in touch with the two clubs from Manchester.
The youngsters I refer to are Daniel Sturridge, Josh McEachran, and Romelu Lukaku. Sturridge was a revelation last season at Bolton, scoring 8 goals in 12 games and impressing with his all round game. His imminent return from suspension, gives Villas Boas the chance to play him and assess his ability to replicate his Bolton form. McEachran is a composed and technically gifted midfielder, much admired within Chelsea.
He could provide the youthful zest and intelligence that Cleverly is currently showing at United, besides we always love to see a young English talent come through the academy and play for one of the top clubs. Lukaku is a powerhouse, very much in the Drogba mould. Whilst it may be too early to call him Drogba`s replacement, the young Belgian looks suited to the hustle and bustle of the premiership. It could be worth playing him from the off, if only to keep the rest of the strike force on their toes.
Chelsea as this writer has noted before, should do their utmost to sign Modric, despite Redknapp`s belief that they would not do so if Mata arrived. Mata is a player who often plays on the flanks, Chelsea need someone to stay central and orchestrate play. Having Modric and Mata would infinitely increase the ability of the Pensioners to break down those stubborn defences.
It goes without saying, that having both would finally provide the ammunition that Torres requires, and allow Chelsea to get the best out of him. He has looked a lost puppy at times without a recognized creative midfielder. Make no mistake it is not imperative to get the best out of Torres because he cost 50 million, it is imperative if Chelsea want to win any of the big trophies.
So where does this leave some of the elder statesmen at the club? Clearly Drogba and Torres cannot play together, but the Ivorian seems content at present to sit on the bench and fight for his place. The question is how much more he has to contribute to the club. Many have suggested the Malaria he contracted has irrevocably diminished his powers, by the looks of his performances since they may have a point. His notoriously massive ego, will not appreciate being a bench boy for the rest of the season, but Villas Boas must act swiftly to resolve what is a damagingly troubleseome dilemma. He must be decisive or risk being cut adrift at the top of the table.
Lampard no longer has the legs to make those late bursting runs into the box, meaning he has lost his greatest asset. He may have his uses (provide experience, very good passing range) but he should no longer be guaranteed a starting place. The midfielder is a shadow of his former self, indeed Capello`s statement that he still has an England future is laughable and sad at the same time.
Terry has been ravaged by injury and years of superhuman commitment, but he remains vital as the leader and heartbeat of the team. However the sun is setting for Alex, Chelsea need a quicker, more refined, younger defender namely David Luiz. The sideshow Bob look alike must start every game to hone his extravagant talents.
Others such as Malouda,Anelka and Kalou remain important to the squad as a whole, but Villas Boas must make a break with the past sooner rather than later. He only has to look how what impact the youngsters have made at Old Trafford to appreciate that his increasingly stale team needs a new lease of life. Critics have been saying for a number of years that the Chelsea squad is too long in the tooth; inevitably they would be proved right eventually. Liverpool, Man city and United are moving forward at speed while Chelsea have stagnated these last few months, urgent action is vital to stave off regression.
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