No Ghosts of Chelsea Past
Thursday, 30 December 04, 02:10 PM · Comments (8)
The Festive Season always had a certain predictability; on Christmas Day the turkey would get a right stuffing, on Boxing Day Chelsea would follow suit. My 'favourite' stuffing was a 4-1 thumping, inflicted during a torrential downpour at Elland Road by Leeds United, many Boxing Days ago. It was also a noon kick-off, which necessitated leaving London so early Santa was still popping out of chimneys. Leeds is a grim abomination at the best of times -- far too many people up there bear an uncanny resemblance to the Yorkshire Ripper: beards, bubble perms, evil stares, and that's just the women -- but in early morning it's even more of a shock to the system. I digress.
This season Chelsea has festively pocketed two victories -- 1-0 and 2-0 -- and although neither game was a classic we won both without offering Aston Villa or Portsmouth a real sight at goal. The best they could muster between them were a couple of long range efforts -- Solano for Villa and a real screamer from Quashie for Pompey, both from 30 yards out. Over the season our defending has been outstanding and we've given up few chances inside the penalty area. It's not just the back line that deserves the credit either, Makelele has been exceptional. He's very much an unsung hero; he doesn't score goals, he doesn't have an array of party tricks, but he does play with consummate discipline.
I went off him a little after his antics in the Champions League semi-final leg in Monaco last season when he feigned injury. However this season he has been the lynchpin of the team and I'm not surprised that Mourinho has played him in every game of any significance. Nor is it unexpected that, according to Mourinho, one player we are looking to bring in during the transfer window is cover for the 31-year-old Frenchman. Parker, the obvious understudy, is injured and I don't think either Smertin or Geremi has the ability to knit the team together like Makelele does. I would put him just ahead of Lampard and on a par with Terry in terms of his being essential to the team.
The other issue that the transfer window may, or may not resolve, is that of the lead striker. The way we operate our current system, the 4-3-3, requires the front three players to all have great close control and technical ability. Although we play with two 'wingers', Duff and Robben, they don't throw a stream of crosses and high balls into the penalty area. Our wide players play far more in the style that Wenger established at Arsenal with Pires and Ljungberg -- they attack on the ground and constantly inter change. Gudjohnsen, who is the most technically gifted striker we have, looks very comfortable and at home in this system but his preference for playing very deep does mean that we can lack presence in attack.
The player who gives us obvious presence -- and the attacking focal point that goes with it -- is Didier Drogba. The problem with Drogba is that he doesn't appear to have the touch or the ball control to be effective in this 4-3-3. I have the feeling Drogba would prefer it if our two wingers played in a more traditional way and sent over a stream of crosses for him to attack -- though I doubt Mourinho, with his continental approach to keeping possession, will want to start playing percentage football. Drogba's touch will improve -- he still looks very ring rusty to me -- but I suspect he'd prefer to play with a strike partner, in other words in a 4-4-2 line up. As I don't think Mourinho is about to change a system that has been so successful it may mean a dip into the market, either now or more likely in the summer.
The perfect player for us would be someone who had Drogba's presence and pace combined with Eidur's touch and technique. The player who comes closest to fitting that description is Thierry Henry, but we won't be buying him. Other viable candidates are very thin on the ground. However I'm confident that Drogba will improve as he gets more match practice -- but I believe he'd prefer playing alongside Gudjohnsen rather than instead of him. When Drogba gets his form back -- and he will -- it'll be interesting to see where Mourinho plays Eidur.
Next up are Liverpool. I'm looking forward to what I'm sure will be a stern New Year's Day test at Anfield. Gerrard is bound to be fired up by the occasion and Benitez is a canny manager who will set out his team to give us as many problems as possible, even without many strikers to choose from. Liverpool are playing very well -- remember they beat Arsenal not long ago -- but this is the type of game that potential champions must pass.
Anyway, a Happy New Year to all Bloggers and Chelsea fans everywhere. And spare a thought -- and some cash if you feel so inclined -- for those in South East Asia.
by Blingo Starr
Like this blog? Help spread the word: 
Blingo,
I’ve read you for a few months now, and respect your opinions. However, I’m not convinced that Drogba is Chelsea quality.
The player we need upfront (even more EFFECTIVE than Henry) is Nicolas Anelka. Great Touch, Great Speed, Great Finishing. Stays fit as well. I’m sure he will behave himself at Chelsea because it will be his last chance at a big club, and because he will have a manager in JM that is of a higher profile than him. If I were JM, I’ll go get Anelka in January. And the title will be guaranteed.
The downside is that he used to play for the arse :(
twells has said the things I want to hear.
Quite frankly I am beginning to wonder whether Chelsea is serious about winning the Title. Chelsea has no striker! Gud is a playmaker not a striker, Drogba needs Beckam or Gerard type of player, who would set him off with long range through passes for him to overrun defenses.
Jose is not going to sign Dafoe. I think he prefers big strikers. If that is the case, why not bid for Anelka. He is available and is a very good striker.
Does anybody seriously believe that Duff and Robben will get us the goals to win the Championship? Soon fatigue will set in and with only two front men to chose from, we could struggle to score goals in Match.
Excellent article! Funny and thoughtful. Willis is right about Adrino: he has it all and if he can score that many in Italy he’ll have no mercy in England. But I do think Drogba will play better; his touch was improving just before he got injured. I am sure JM will be acutely aware of Drog’s touch and will be training him up. He has the potential to be fantastic.
As for playing him with Eidur, it would only be a small tweak to go to a 4-2-3-1, with Guddy behind the main striker and between Robben and Duff.
My fear is an injury to either Robben or Duff. We rely on them so much…I still think Joaquin would have been a buy that would ensure the title. Then the two wide men could get a rest, and we are protected from a change in formation because of injury. JM says he wants two players challenging for each position. Who is challenging for the right wing? Not Geremi, maybe Cole. Then who have we got for the left?
Drogba’s time will come. Totally agree with Blingo that he needs a strike partner, someone who will battle the centerbacks with him. When he plays alone, he has a CB on to him when he receives the ball, and even if he manages to beat him, he is immediately blocked off by the 2nd CB.
On the perfect striker for Jose’s formation, Adriano is an ideal player. Comfortable on the ball, beats his man, powerful long shots and a cool head in front of goal. He’s also good in the air, and surprisingly quick for a big man. But he’s Inter’s crown jewel and I seriously doubt they would let him go.
Anyway, give the current lads a chance. They have brought us this far, so lets see if they can finish it on top.
Finally i have someone with same oppinion as me.twells u got man.Nicolas Anelka will be a perfect striker for chelsea,and i’m sure a huge sum will not get him away from mancester city,he’s fast,strong,pacy and a cool finsher of the ball,i feel he’s better than drogba and Gudjohsen.He’s still young,same age as drogba,he has more experience and i’m sure he’s eager to prove that he can still make it huge in a bigger club.For a striker like him to be in a club like city with no much creative midfield and still scores much goal,he much be perfect for chelsea and his touches on the ball are ‘gud’ like too.Is there a way some-one can make this known to Jose Mourinho.
Anelka? Please, let’s be serious! The man is just going through the motions now! His psychological baggage is just too much; Chelsea does not need it! Besides, the Anelka that terrorized the Premiership as an Arsenal player is gone. He does not have the hunger or the discipline to turn in enough good performances on a consistent basis anymore. The Grump will simply soil the mood of that Happy Dressing Room! Physically he may not be seriously up to the job as well.
There is only one striker that fits Chelsea right now, but I suspect we will be gunning for him in the simmer:
A-D-R-I-A-N-O!!
Funny enough, he was Mutu’s partner upfront in Parma when we picked Mutu ahead of him! He’s the kind of beast that would take Chelsea to another level.
Drogba, of course, will get better as well
8 Comments · Add yours
Big test for your lot.
Baros is one of the players of the season in my opinion, and Gerrard, Hamman and Alonso all have good shots from distance. A quality I think is key to beating Chelsea.
Happy New Year, but I think Liverpool could win this 3-2.
Also, don’t you think it was a bit sleazy for Jose to bring up Liverpool’s courting of him?
“The perfect player for us would be someone who had Drogba’s presence and pace combined with Eidur’s touch and technique. The player who comes closest to fitting that description is Thierry Henry…”
Thierry Henry has presence? Don’t think so.
Player you need is Adriano.