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What's that smell? Definitely not integrity |
Well the good news for Chelsea is that Rafa Benitez is definitely leaving at the end of the season. The bad news for Chelsea is that Rafa Benit... no, it’s still good he’s leaving. It’s bad news that he is very clearly choosing personal glory over what’s best for the club. Some may address the ‘could you blame him?’ trope. I like to call those people wrong. No surprise they are some of the same people were onside with Ferdinand’s vacation in Qatar rather than report for England duty.
When the lineup was announced, it was clear that players were being rested for Monday’s FA Cup replay with United, and that the league is in no way being prioritised. Ridiculous decisions all around. Normally sensible to rest Hazard after he played 180 minutes for Belgium mid-week, but with Mata out, he should definitely have started. Bentiez usually misses a trick by never starting Mazacar, two of the three members of this triumvirate should be first on the teamsheet week in and week out.
Terry and his experience are always a good option, but with this right knee not up to snuff, he needs to be balanced out with someone with a little more get up and go at the back. Possibly someone who has been in the lineup for every clean sheet we’ve had this season. Luiz’ performance against Brazil wasn’t taxing enough for him to have been keeping Turnbull company under the guise of being rested for Monday.
So is Benitez right? Was the lineup justified? It’s easy to say no, especially in light of the result / performance / soul sucking display of ‘football’ for 90 minutes. With 2 games in less than 48 hours, most clubs would rest some players. Even United had their OAP’s getting ready for Monday. However, Chelsea do not have the depth in squad to rotate as many players as possibly justified. Rather than a balanced team, Benitez played who he considers to be his second string. Which means rather than trying to balance the squad he openly told the supporters, the board, the world that he’s going to try and win a cup for his CV and sod all to the league.
At this point in the season, there is no chance that anyone other than United will end up winning the League. However, it is absolutely imperative that Chelsea finish top 4, moreso than for a number of other clubs vying for that spot. It’s not just about the money that Champions League football brings, because let’s be honest, it’s not really an issue at Chelsea at the moment. But it could be the difference between a Special return and not. Without Champions League football on offer, the shine on Chelsea for potential managers and top players could be rubbed off a bit.
Why is Rafa Benitez risking the club’s future? Just because he’s not going to be around next season? Because he’s a Bitter Betty and didn’t like the warm reception he received at Stamford Bridge? Whatever it is, his short term vision for the club is one for himself as well. Maybe he will add a cup to his CV, but he’s certainly not covering himself in glory. A potential employer might think twice about hiring someone who openly holds contempt for his employers and puts himself first. When he joined Chelsea, his brief was a simple one, to ensure a top four finish for the club. Saturday’s fixture with Southampton says he’s dismissed the brief and the cash that comes with it in favour of risking everything on tomorrow’s match.
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Torres: ashamed into wearing a mask for once believing in Benitez 'tactics' |
And what did the Interim One have to say for himself? “at least were there and made the chances.” Brilliant. This is a statement you hear from someone in the relegation zone after just losing to a top side. Not the other way around. Not to take anything away from Southampton who played some fantastic football between Lambert’s stunning free kick and the performances of Chelsea supporters Clyne and Shaw. Southampton took pity on the large man temporarily in charge and attempted to do Chelsea a favour by substituting their keeper. Or Boruc died of boredom were so confident that they would not be challenged thought it didn't matter who was in their goal, they could have left it empty and were still going to win.
It should never be a surprise that Benitez has no real answers after the game, when he answers during the game include Benayoun. Chasing a game, a striker sitting waiting on the bench, and it’s Benayoun who gets the call with 15 minutes to go. Apart from Benitez, there wasn’t one person who thought that made sense - Benayoun included. The midfield was non-existent yesterday, but that was not the time to start tinkering with it.
And who's to blame this time? Another random blogger? Was it twitter that saw Chelsea falter against Southampton? Maybe just pin the whole thing on Rickie Lambert and be done with it? What an utterly ridiculous man. No blogger in the world made Benitez pick that lineup ... well, except him. With his previous two years in the blogging stratosphere, I suppose some blame could be placed on a blogger. But not some random individual who he's cited for the source of all his problems. It is still Benitez picking the lineup and making those substitutions. It is Benitez choosing personal glory over what is best for the club. With someone so entrenched in short term goals, he should revel in his title of Interim, because if he takes this strategy with him to the next club, it will be all he'll ever be.
And who's to blame this time? Another random blogger? Was it twitter that saw Chelsea falter against Southampton? Maybe just pin the whole thing on Rickie Lambert and be done with it? What an utterly ridiculous man. No blogger in the world made Benitez pick that lineup ... well, except him. With his previous two years in the blogging stratosphere, I suppose some blame could be placed on a blogger. But not some random individual who he's cited for the source of all his problems. It is still Benitez picking the lineup and making those substitutions. It is Benitez choosing personal glory over what is best for the club. With someone so entrenched in short term goals, he should revel in his title of Interim, because if he takes this strategy with him to the next club, it will be all he'll ever be.
Chelsea currently wedged between North London in the last Champions League spot and a ridiculous number of games yet to be played. Worse news? Wenger has somehow got even Gervinho scoring and only the CL spot to play for. It’s not looking good, and there’s really one self-involved man to blame. Failure to win tomorrow will leave Benitez without his coveted trophy along with the professionalism that he professed to hold.
Happy Easter!
jb x
Where did you find the time to write that book with the game not 24 hours old yet? Fair comment though. I always know after 10 minutes played, what team effort is going to be put in for the remainder of the game. At least Benitez is making me some money, a healthy 3 to 1 on Southampton after 10 minutes played. We have a much tougher run in that the other top 4 challengers so it's not looking good, although we had shown some semblance of our previous good form in the two games before this. Fingers crossed, but it does make you wonder why our men at the top made a decision that was always likely to ruin the whole season.
ReplyDeleteIf I ever hope to get a job in the field, I'll have to be producing this within 90 minutes of the final whistle. haha
DeleteAnd the constant chopping and changing of the midfield and back four is just never going to see a cohesive team performance. Players need to play together week in and week out to really function as a unit. Benitez belongs at a mid-table club that he can tinker the sh*t out of.
As for his appointment, I obviously think it was grossly inappropriate for Chelsea. However, I don't necessarily think they thought the results would be so poor. If you look at even the press when he first joined - he's managed to fool many a footballing brain into thinking he is a tactically sound man even if an unpopoular figure. And I imagine his appointment was really to get Torres back to his best. What the board did not bank on was his 'tactics' being found out so quickly, and even Torres not buying into the Benitez project. Torres was far more productive under Di Matteo, and even Villas Boas.
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