Villas-Boas, too much pressure too soon?
Chelsea are not enjoying the best of times at the moment, in fact their whole 2011 has not been enjoyable for them and no doubt they will be glad to see the end of the year. They currently sit 5th place in the Premier League, 10 points adrift from Manchester City in top spot and have now lost the same amount of games as Arsenal, ahead of them by only 2 points, who they should have never let catch them up as they had a horrific start to the season. However, there is some ways Chelsea can improve their fortunes. Ways that Roman Abramovich wouldn’t have to spend money on.
The first is simple. David Luiz loves to get forward and help the attack at any chance he possibly can, which is great, but not if your playing centre back. Chelsea have been caught out on the counter attack many times this season and Luiz’s attacking mentality doesn’t help the situation. The solution however is simple. David Luiz needs to be given direct instructions, either he plays at the heart of defence and stays there or they find another position for him. Personally, I think another position is the best option.
With Michael Essien struggling to overcome injury problems Chelsea lack the ‘Makelele role’. Essien and Makelele were both great at going forward but also knew when to defend. This could well be the perfect position for David Luiz as it overcomes the issue with him at centre back while also giving the midfield and whole team a boost by having a player back in this important position for the Chelsea side.
The next issue regards Fernando Torres. £50 million spent on a player that has returned just 5 goals. In his Chelsea career Torres has been disciplined by the referee more times than he has scored. Maybe his price tag is a burden for him personally, it certainly doesn’t help his situation. Plus, every time he doesn’t score or misses an chance he puts more pressure upon himself. The issue with this is that Chelsea feel pressured into playing him because of the amount they spent.
Players such as Lukaku, Drogba, Sturridge and Anelka are all capable of scoring goals on a consistent basis but don’t get the chances they should as Torres takes their position in the starting line up. If Torres can not deliver the goods, he should not be playing week in week out. It’s the same for any striker. Also, a few good appearances off the bench can boost his confidence and get him back on track, returning the Torres that we all know.
The final issue is regarding to the hierarchy of the club. Since Mourinho left Chelsea have not had a manager that has lasted a year. Each season has seen a different manager enter the frame at some point and this doesn’t help at all. A manager needs time to build a team. No one can be expected to take control of a side and deliver instantly, especially when the chairman craves Champions League success.
The liklihood of this happening are very slim in a managers first season. Don’t get me wrong, it is possible, but it’s highly unlikely. Abramovich needs to allow at least two seasons for a manager to settle down and be able to consistently challenge for trophies. It doesn’t help the players having a new manager every year, it doesn’t help the fans, it doesn’t help the football club. Patience is a virtue. Abramovich needs to realise this.
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1) David Luiz isn’t disciplined enough for the Makelele role. And would be a red card waiting to happened wherever he plays. Bench is his best position, then transfer list. We can get Subotic, like we should have done in the first place.
2) If you had watched Chelsea this season you’d realise Romeu is a more realistic option to play defensive midfield, not Luiz
3)How do you know Lukaku is capable of scoring more than Torres in the Premier League, if you’d look at the stats of Anelka and Drogba over the past 18 months you’d realise your assumption they’d be any better is also flawed.
Luiz is indisciplined but besides that the ‘Makelele role’ would limit his attacking instincts not help them flourish, the mentality of a player in that position is solely defensive, in possession it’s “get it and give it”.
Luiz is an outstanding footballer, and some defensive displays last year were magnificent too; I would personally like to see him tried at right-back, but this isn’t easy as Ivanovic is to my mind the best RB in the league.
Ancelotti lasted longer than a year.
If we’re being honest Torres has had a poor season, but has still played well more often than Drogba, Anelka has been told he’s surplus to requirements and whilst he’s an excellent all round footballer; this shows in his play. Lukaku needs a lot of work.
The only player justifiably able to replace Torres is Sturridge.
Anyone at the ‘match’ on Tuesday would have seen that Lukaku is far from the finished article. In fact, in my opinion he never will be. I agree 100% about Romeu, he has all the attributes to be a Makele. Luiz generates excitement but mostly for opposition fans as he gives away too many free kicks and penalties – ho should be sold.