Posts Tagged ‘fabio borini’

Seven Seasons Since Russian Revolution – Now It Is Time For Evolution

Revolution: a sudden, complete or marked change in something

In what have been the most successful seven seasons in the history of Chelsea Football Club, Roman Abramovich has turned the Blues from a relatively big English team to a worldwide franchise competing for Football’s top prizes every year. Based on the definition above, the takeover of Chelsea was certainly a definitive revolution.

Three Premier League titles, three FA Cup triumphs and two League Cups have been the result of the huge investment pumped into the West London club by the Russian billionaire who has become synonymous with Chelsea.

There can be no doubt that without him the club would still be trailing the wake of Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool. He has made Chelsea one of the biggest clubs in Europe and has done so not only by investment in playing staff.

His roubles have touched everything at the club, from the hand driers in the stadium toilets to the wonderful training facilities at Cobham. Yes, the Russian who made Chelsea his plaything in 2003 has certainly laid the foundations for success.

Of course, the players who have put on the Blue shirts at Stamford Bridge each week have been the integral part of the glory. Without Drogbas and Carvalhos the Chelsea side would never be able to compete for major silverware each season, and this is only possible because of the Russian’s cash.

The current Blues squad has its problems. A lack of creativity and the need for another back up goalkeeper are not the only issues facing Chelsea in 2010. The fact is, the team must start to evolve into an Abramovich ‘second generation’ side, as the players who have been so effective for the Londoners in recent years are coming towards the end of their playing days.

Frank Lampard, John Terry, Didier Drogba and Ashley Cole are considered perhaps the spine of the Chelsea team, but all are heading towards the twilight of their careers. Terry and Cole have four years left at the top, but Lampard and Drogba are now 32 and cannot be expected to carry the side after next season. Without goals from them both Chelsea would not have won the league and cup last time out.

Evolution: a gradual change in something/ the gradual development of plants, animals, etc. over many years as they adapt to changes in their environment

Therefore there needs to be a change in SW6, a gradual development of a new squad, or one could say Evolution. Of course, this has already started with Michael Ballack and Juliano Belletti leaving the club this summer and Ricardo Carvalho having one season left at the most.

The signings which the chequebook will be opened for must be youthful and shrewd. There must also be a more active role in the first team for the youth players who have done so well at junior level, and promised so much when shown a glimpse of the first team.

Gael Kakuta, Michael Mancienne, Sam Huchinson, Jeffry Bruma and Fabio Borini could be the next batch of players whose names grace the replica shirts in the stands and in parks, but only if they have the opportunity to learn and grow. For the team to evolve there must be a gradual inclusion of these young players as the old guard are faded out. This is the only way that the word success can become as synonymous with Chelsea Football club as Abramovich has.

Players such as the Brazilians Ramires and Neymar would be fantastic for the future of the team, blending them into a new Chelsea, a second generation just as Ferguson and Wenger have done at United and Arsenal.

Chelsea have one of the best coaches in the game today, with an outstanding record. However, it may be the club’s driving ambition to win the Champions League which hampers the progress of Ancelotti. If he is given three years to rebuild this squad, there could be tremendous rewards for those who had the patience to allow him to do so.

The irony is, however, that it is the man who has taken Chelsea this far who may hinder the transitional phase which faces his club in its near future. Winning the Champions League has always been the dream for Abramovich, but some patience now and building a new squad properly will reap huge rewards in the long term.

On the other hand, impatience and sacking the coach for the failure to win the coveted prize instantly will only delay the day that the European Cup can be added to the ever growing list of Chelsea honours.

A Striking Dilemma

Is Fabio Borini the Future of Chelsea's frontline?

As the media keeps reporting Chelsea are tracking various high profile strikers, we can only hope that one of these rumours might be true. Torres, Suarez and Aguero have already proved themselves on the international stage and would be great strikepartners to Didier Drogba.

Sergio Aguero has made it known that he would like to play at Chelsea along side the likes of John Terry, Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba. Furthermore, he mentioned that he would like to link up with Fernando Torres at Chelsea. The Argentinian who is married to Diego Maradona’s daughter has great goal scoring ability.

Torres is well known to Chelsea fans, the fastest man to reach to 50 Premier League goals, he also holds the record for scoring the most goals scored by an overseas player during their debut Premier League season. With Torres hungry for Champions League Football, I hope that he will make the easy choice and choose Chelsea over Liverpool.

Luis Suarez scored 49 goals last season for Ajax and contributed to Uruguay’s dream run to the semi-finals in the 2010 World Cup. Suarez has played a supporting striker throughout his career for the likes of Diego Forlan, Klaas Jan Huntelaar and Marko Pantelic. A potential partnership with Didier Drogba could gift Chelsea Football Club another record breaking goal tally next season.

Looking at less established strikers Romelu Lukaku is probably Europe’s most sought after youngster. A Chelsea fan, he was recently pictured wearing the new Chelsea home kit at Stamford Bridge. The Belgian 17-year old already has 2 caps for Belgium and will give anything to join Didier Drogba at Chelsea.

The real question to ask ourselves is that is it necessary to sign another striker? Especially when we have Daniel Sturridge and Fabio Borini already at the club, there are also others such as young Jacopo Sala desperate for a chance to shine?

Therefore do we need to spend money to make more of a crowd in the striking department? Daniel Sturridge who could be England’s future, should be given a chance in the first team after managing 5 goals in his first season at the club from limited appearances.

The question I put to you and the club is, who should be preffered, should we favour Torres or Suarez over Sturridge and Borini?