In June 2003, Roman Abramovich became the owner of the companies that control Chelsea Football Club. The West London club embarked on an ambitious programme of commercial development with the aim of making it a worldwide brand on same level with footballing dynasties such as Manchester United and Real Madrid. Investment in players and building a state-of-the-art training complex in Cobhams, Surrey were the first of the many investments from the Russia billionaire.
Fast forward to present day, Chelsea has truly established itself as a football power in England and Europe in the past decade or more. Since the start of the Abramovich era, the Blues have won four Premier League titles, four FA Cups, three League Cups, two English Community Shield, One UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League titles. In total, they have won 15 titles since 2003. Not bad for a club on the peripheral of the European elite group not so long ago.
In spite of all this investment and passion for his club, Roman Abramovich is well known to be decisive in replacing his coaches once results aren’t going as expected. Claudio Ranieri was the first of many to be relieved of his duty when he couldn’t deliver any title in the first year of the Abramovich era with Arsenal winning the Premier League and achieving another feat of not losing a league match in the entire season. Enigmatic Jose Mourinho has suffered this fate twice. In the first stint, the replacement Avram Grant was one penalty kick away from winning the Champions League. Others like Luiz Felipe Scolari, Carlo Ancelotti, Andre Villas Boas, Roberto Di Matteo have fallen under Roman’s axe. Ancelotti was fortunate to finish the season while others were booted out during the season. Some replacements who took over mid-season helped steer the ship and return with a title to salvage the season. Guus Hiddink won the FA Cup in 2009; Roberto Di Matteo won the FA Cup and Champions League in 2012 while Rafa Benitez secured the Europa League title in 2013. In hindsight, it appears the decisive Russian businessman is usually just right, however, this season will not go according to plan.
Dutch man Guus Hiddink returned for his second spell as interim manager to help salvage the Premier League champions who lost their bearing under the Special one – Jose Mourinho. Hiddink has tried to recover the spark in the fallen giant but he has not succeeded. Last Saturday, Everton ended Chelsea’s season effectively with a confident two nil victory at Goodison Park. Former Chelsea boy, Romelu Lukaku drilled the nails into the coffin with two well taken goals.
There will be no trophy to camouflage the extraordinary underachievement of the season. For the first time in over two decades, Chelsea have nothing to play for in April, let alone May. The individual and collective honors racked up last year wouldn’t be repeated rather it would be unofficial awards for worst transfers – Radamel Falcao and Alexandre Pato.
Just a few days before the FA Cup exit, Zlatan Ibrahimovich inspired PSG to a convincing 1-2 victory against Chelsea in the Champions League. What is left for the Blues? Pride? Chelsea has hit full cycle; they have to reboot and build again.
Guus Hiddink will step down after the last league game against Leicester City. It would be an interesting tale to see Abramovich’s Chelsea give Ranieri’s team a guard of honor at Stamford Bridge in May. Chelsea is in search of a new manager. They need one who can rebuild. Favorite, Antonio Conte did a similar job with Juventus. With the exit of club legend and captain almost confirmed, there is a need to bring in quality reinforcement at the back. The midfield will require an upgrade while there is a need for quality investment in attack. Pato and Falcao are epitome of Chelsea’s season.
Which coach do you think Chelsea should employ and which players should they sign as they bid to return back to glory days? Please use the comment box beneath to share your thoughts.
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