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Will Pep Guardiola REALLY be attracted to a club like Chelsea?

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While there will be great respect for and lots of time given to the manager were he to accept the mammoth contract on offer, it would appear an unlikely coming-together of footballing philosophies  Guardiola has the resonance of a man of some merit. By all accounts he’s a decent guy, evidence of this lies in the fact that he refused to sign more than a one-year contract while managing Barcelona, stating he wouldn’t feel comfortable tying the club to him contractually were he to fail to live up to expectations.

Abramovich is by no means a bad man, but his brashness, coupled with his inability to take a backseat on footballing matters at Chelsea could turn the Spaniard off. He would rightly expect to have full control over footballing matters and decisions, but the idea of anyone other than him being allowed total control appears unlikely.

There is always the chance that were he to sign up it would go swimmingly, a beautiful footballing romance story that would only end after 25 years of Sir Alex-esque joy and emotion. But that’s at best optimistic and at worst, deluded. While Abramovich should be applauded for his confidence and apparent determination in his pursuit of Guardiola, it just seems like an easy, almost lazy answer to a very difficult question. Chelsea’s struggles date back to the day Abramovich finally lost his patience with Jose Mourinho.

The man that had delivered the club’s first league title since 1955 and was adored by fans was shown the exit door in what was effectively the final move in a power struggle with the Portuguese manager. And with every manager since he has felt it necessary to illustrate that power again and again. To remind players and fans alike that he is in control, they may be part of it, but this is his club, and he’s here for the long term.

Guardiola is far more likely to be attracted to the stability and commitment to a long-term ideology that is apparent at both Manchester United and Arsenal. The way both clubs have stuck by their managers with the sort of loyalty that is only ever reserved for true legends of the game, and is extremely rare, could tempt the manager to start another project in the Premier League.

These are places where continuity, patience and stability are key characteristics. The sort of stability that until Abramovich realises the club is more than a plaything, Chelsea will continue to be in short supply of.

Feel free to follow @WayneFarry on Twitter for more football talk and opinion.

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