Wednesday, August 20, 2014

The difference


The difference


   After a lackadaisical start by The Blues, conceding a goal early in the first half, seemed to breach life into Chelsea FC. The comparison can only be made from last season where a standard 2-0 win against Hull City was the start to a trophy-less campaign. A Jose Mourinho-esque win, won comfortably, no goals conceded and a solid yet lacklustre display last year was the typical style of Chelsea Football Club. However, this time around, after seeing big heads depart and bringing in world class players in addition to the maturity of Andre Schurrle, Chelsea won the opening game 3-1 against Burnley. There was an evident hunger in the side. Strong, powerful and physical, Chelsea FC are on top of the pile after one game. This of course, means nothing.
   Jose Mourinho referred back to Cesar Azpilicueta at LB, something that was only seen last season which was very effective, as Chelsea went on to only concede 27 goals in the Barclays Premier League. Burnley, were a team who showed fight and spirit, scoring first with a superb strike from Scott Arfield. Thibaut Courtois (who was making his debut for Chelsea) couldn't prevent it from reaching the back of the net. This seemed to be a wake up call for Chelsea as alarm clocks rang inside their heads. A mere three minutes it took for Chelsea to equalise through another new deubutant Diego Costa. Branislav Ivanovic causing problems, the ball hits the post and kindly deflects to Diego Costa who smashes it home. Diego Costa could have added another if he wasn't controversially taken down and then booked by the referee, Michael Oliver for an apparent dive. Video replays further show that he in fact, was taken down and Chelsea should have been awarded a penalty. The game was 1-1 at the time.
   However, the following goal was pure artistry. 25 passes were played through the move to lead to a fantastic goal by Andre Schurrle, a man who has leaped strides over the past twelve months. A beautiful mazy run by Eden Hazard, who found Branislav Ivanovic and he found yet another new recruit in Cesc Fabregas, who played an exquisite pass to Andre Schurrle to overturn a 1-0 deficit in seven minutes, breathtaking to watch. A friend of mine has ALREADY described it as a contender for goal of the season. A third came twelve minutes before half time from the foot of Branislav Ivanovic, who had a superb game at right back. A great delivery from Cesc Fabregas again, this time from a corner and it found Ivanovic in space, which he really shouldn't have had, to break down a spirited Burnley side.  The second half, Chelsea took the foot off the gas and nulled Burnley to limited chances while creating far less of their own. The game finishing 3-1 to away side (Chelsea) who play another promoted side Leicester City on Saturday 23rd August at Stamford Bridge at 3 pm.
   On a side note, I still believe Chelsea are lacking a back-up striker to Diego Costa. This is the only issue that worries me currently within the squad. There are a vast number of strikers who are available and would cost a reasonable sum. A few names touted around are Loic Remy, Mattia Destro and Wilfred Bony. Personally, Loic Remy will be the cheapest of the three and has had experience at two different Premier League sides. For under £10 million, I would gamble on Loic Remy who has failed a medical at Liverpool. Apart from this little scare, I am optimistic of this new season.

  

Wednesday, August 6, 2014

One striker bought, one job saved


One striker bought, one job saved



   With the Premier League season fast approaching, I still believe there are one or two signings to be made. Only the end of July, I had thought Chelsea's team was complete. A minimum of two players above average in every position - Thibaut Courtois and Petr Cech, Branislav Ivanovic and Cesar Azpilicueta, Eden Hazard and Andre Schurrle etc etc etc. I was feeling very optimistic about the season ahead. 
  
   Now, only a week after, I'm again having a few doubts. Chelsea have sold Romelu Lukaku for £28 million and loaned Ryan Bertrand to Southampton in recent weeks. The LB position needed strengthening this summer with Ashley Cole and Patrick Van Aanholt leaving the club and evidently, Ryan Bertrand not being able to fill the void. Filipe Luis was brought in to solidify and enhance the LB position having played Cesar Azpilicueta, the right back, in unfamiliar territory last term. This time round, I believe Filipe Luis and Nathan Ake will be enough to hold the position with again, Cesar Azpilicueta able to slot in at left back if needs must.


   My doubts come from the striker department - a familiar song sung by the Chelsea faithful. Of the three strikers Chelsea had at the Bridge last term, only one has survived the axe. Demba Ba waved goodbye to England as he headed towards Turkey, in the shape of Besiktas and Samuel Eto'o has been released of his duties. Fernando Torres is the only man standing from striking options of last term. Diego Costa has come in to be the main man at the Bridge this season with the returning hero of Didier Drogba! Now I'm one to be optimistic in situations, but in the unlikely event of Diego Costa being suspended, due to his short fuse or even worse, getting injured, and Didier Drogba in the African Cup of Nations, are Chelsea going to rely on the hardworking but goal shy Fernando Torres? I'm not too impressed.

   I have always been one to give Patrick Bamford the fourth slot as striker in order for him to learn from experienced heads such as Didier Drogba but I can't deny, I'm screaming for one more striking option. Mario Balotelli? Radamel Falcao? Edinson Cavani? Maybe a cheaper option in Loic Remy? Or perhaps the physicality of Wilfred Bony?

   Well in truth, I would prefer a physical player who is used to the Premier League and that only comes from Mario Balotelli or Wilfred Bony although wouldn't disagree with any mentioned above. Even though he failed his Liverpool medical, Loic Remy knows the Premier League, how to score goals and supposedly a small buy-out clause for Top 4 teams, below £10 million if I remember rightly.

   I highly believe that if Chelsea are left with Fernando Torres for a long period of time, Chelsea again finish the season trophyless, Jose Mourinho's name will be a mere memory among Stamford Bridge.

Let's hope Chelsea are ready when they arrive at Turf Moor.