In January 2010, Chelsea scored 7, hit the woodwork twice, and missed a plethora of chances against a Sunderland side bereft of confidence and ability. And now, in 2012, Chelsea managed just one goal… and really should have been punished by a revitalised Sunderland side under Martin O’Neil.
Many Chelsea players remain from the team of 2010. Their spine has not changed - with Frank Lampard, John Terry, Petr Cech and Ashley Cole all starting the game. What then has made Chelsea the fragile unit that we see today? It is a question batted to and fro between the Press and fans alike; no one can come up with a viable answer - not least Andre Villas-Boas, the beleaguered rookie manager charged by Roman Abramovich to recapture past glories. The problem, it seems, is not as shallow as replacing a player here or there; the problem is deep rooted, unmoving and substantial.
It is fast becoming apparent that Chelsea are not well equipped to deal with such a conundrum, as every area of the club seems to be fundamentally lacking, therefore accelerating their debilitating condition. Roman Abramovich rules over his domain with an iron fist, unafraid to sack struggling managers and sign favoured players to throw into the mix. Their youth setup is stale, affected so greatly by their unpredictable transfer policy.
At management level, there is no consistency in terms of staff or ideas. The manager’s job itself is so riddled with pitfalls that it is a veritable gauntlet run; the ultimate test for any headstrong manager considering himself able to step into Jose Mourinho’s shoes, as dusty and forgotten they become with each lacklustre season. The players are still playing football in the style of ‘the special one’, clashing badly with his many successor’s new tactics and philosophies. What we see is a team of rich potential, making it up as they go along – quite often individually.
At management level, there is no consistency in terms of staff or ideas. The manager’s job itself is so riddled with pitfalls that it is a veritable gauntlet run; the ultimate test for any headstrong manager considering himself able to step into Jose Mourinho’s shoes, as dusty and forgotten they become with each lacklustre season. The players are still playing football in the style of ‘the special one’, clashing badly with his many successor’s new tactics and philosophies. What we see is a team of rich potential, making it up as they go along – quite often individually.
Carlo Ancelotti, it can be said, almost solved the riddle. In 2009/10, Chelsea were playing beautiful, fast, attacking football; the owner was happy; the player’s egos were quelled, and Chelsea sauntered to the title breaking records along the way. No one could foresee what would come next - the birth of a crisis; a crisis which has long since threatened to plunge the West London side into the obscurity.
Now, two years later we can see the revival of a club long since plagued by fear and uncertainty. Sunderland, under the shrewd guidance Martin O’Neil, have begun to recover from the ill-fated reign of Steve Bruce. Chelsea fans must surely have looked on in envy at the attitude, work rate and commitment displayed by the Sunderland players at Stamford Bridge and wonder when, if ever, their own team will return to a state of equilibrium on which to build.
Now, two years later we can see the revival of a club long since plagued by fear and uncertainty. Sunderland, under the shrewd guidance Martin O’Neil, have begun to recover from the ill-fated reign of Steve Bruce. Chelsea fans must surely have looked on in envy at the attitude, work rate and commitment displayed by the Sunderland players at Stamford Bridge and wonder when, if ever, their own team will return to a state of equilibrium on which to build.
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