Where now for Chelsea?
So Jose’s gone and Avram Grant has been put in place as manager at Stamford Bridge this morning - just where does that Chelsea on the eve of the clash with United at the weekend? If you were going to have a stab at speculating on the reaction of the players to the move, you’d plump for a somewhat negative one. Jose clearly had a close relationship, at least with his key players. Grant could face the same kind of reaction from his dressing room as he is sure to face from the terraces. It’s clear he faces a massive task to turn an already stuttering Chelsea lineup into one that can come away with something from Old Trafford. Long term, Chelsea will surely look elsewhere for a managerial solution, maybe Gus Hiddink as widely discussed today. In the short term a title challenge now looks like a momentous task and the reality of that begins this weekend.
Fantasy Managers are fortunate in that injuries to Lampard and Drogba will have already seen many sell on the Chelsea crown jewels. Those who have clung on to the pair, along with the likes of Terry and Malouda must seriously consider the effects of today’s move on form that has already stalled at Villa Park and against Rosenborg in midweek. Certainly until we have a view on Grant’s lineup, which won’t come until both Lampard and Drogba are fit, there appears to be too much uncertainty around Chelsea to risk holding on to their players for the next month or so.
Help please!
Does somebody have the transfer password from Wednesday’s Telegraph? I forgot to buy the paper and I need to transfer Agger out, not to mention consider my options re. other Chelsea players.
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Tom - ‘beckham’ might help you out with that Agger conundrum.
As for Chelsea, can someone provide an update on Lampard’s injury? If he’ll only miss the Man Utd game, I might hold. And - after the Man Utd game - Chelsea’s fixtures look easier than normal; their defence may still be ok?
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Hmmmmm- Ronaldo as captain instead of Fab (might be rested) this week?
Will he wreak havoc on a disillusioned Chelsea team? Or will they foster a “backs to the wall” mentality and see off Man U’s (admittedly spineless at the moment) attack?
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Now that Jose is gone and his replacement is an Isreali(Grant)theres a big chance that Ben Haim will be back in the first team…he was in the Isreali team that Grant managed and very nearly qualified for the World Cup in 06.
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Good shout nial, that looks likely, athough can’t see many rushing to get him just yet. The United game will be very interesting. As for Ron vs Fab - tough one. I’ve just got Ronaldo in so I’m currently opting for him as Captain as there is some risk that Fabregas will be rested for at least part of the game against Derby. Although Wenger will probably start with him I imagine.
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Luis, thanks for the password. I need it this week!
I really don’t know what to make of the impact of the Chelsea situation.
It can only be good news for the likes of Joe Cole and Shevchenko, but surely Chelsea will be unsteady now with clean sheets no longer being the certainty we have become so accustomed to.
The emphasis will clearly be on attacking football now though which could mean more assists and goals being spread throughout the team.
What does everyone think? Also, Mark can we have a different poll please?
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On the Chelsea situation following Jose’s departure, surely gone are the days of Lampard playing the full 90 minutes and never been substituted, regardless of what kind of game he is having.
I brought in Fabregas for Lampard and a few weeks ago (Telegraph game) and given the Arsenal mans form and the climate at Chelsea, I doubt I will bring Lampard back. Now its either Van Persie or Adebayor (especially with Arsenal playing Derby at home Saturday) for still injured Drogba.
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Tom,
Not sure if Avram will herald a new attacking style- apparently reports of his work in Israel suggest he’s very much in the functional Mourinho mould..
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George, thanks. I have heard that now too but it only goes to baffle me still further why Abramovic would want to get rid of Mourinho?
I am not a Chelsea supporter, far from it, but it is an act of madness that is only indicative of the way football has been taken over by money to the detriment of common sense.
Something has been lost from the whole colour of the Premiership now that Jose has gone.
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