Rome Bound Part 1

So I love Chelsea, and in my previous blog I spoke about their style of play, and why I chose them as my team to support, and today I am going to pretend my name is Luiz Felipe Scolari, and give my opinion on what is wrong with Chelsea and how they could improve. Yes I know I am not really a football player, but this is just what I have observed from other people, and how they play, so feel free to skip this blog if you're not interested.

Last night, Chelsea met with CFR Cluj in the final matchday of the group stages of this season's UEFA Champions League. In order for Chelsea to guarantee passage to the knockout stage, we needed to win the game. Chelsea did win, 2-1, which was quite upsetting. You see, I believe that Chelsea can and may well contend for the Champions League cup this season, and for the team to not only concede a goal, but not totally destroy a club like Cluj is quite disconcerting.

So, Chelsea have the skill and the ability to win but why aren't they dominating. There are two reasons: New manager and injuries.

As with any change, it takes time for the real effects to be seen. With a new manager coming in at the beginning of the season it is going to take time for the dust to settle and the players to get comfortable playing with each other in the new strategy.

Second thing is injury. Here is the current injury/suspention list: Joe Cole, Franco Di Santo, Ricardo Calvalho, Juliano Belleti, Wayne Bridge, Michael Essien, Florence Malouda and Frank Lampard. That's 9 players out at the moment due to injuries, and there are a lot of players who are now just overcoming injuries, like Didier Drogba and Michael Ballack. With this many players not available, things are going to be tough.

But irrespective of these setbacks, Chelsea have been doing well in the Premier League, so why not in the Champions League. Two words: Nicholas Anelka. In my opinion he's a fool, and should be dropped from the team.

You see, with Chelsea's very direct style of play they need to be aggressive all the time, but Anelka just doesn't go looking for goals, he always has to wait on the team to create chances for him to take. It just slows down play too much.

Take last night for example, Anelka did nothing the whole game. Salomon Kalou was the only one who was looking for a goal, while the rest of the team were trying to set Anelka up all the time. Then Drogba comes on and suddenly the whole team steps the pace up, they play more aggressively and in 25 minutes the doubled their shots at goal.

Here's what I think should happen. Chelsea should swap Anelka for Teves. There are rumors of him being sold from United and I think that the Blues need him. He has the same speed and aggression that Drogba has, and while he may not be quite as fast, he's stronger. He is, in my opinion, the key to continued success.

With another Drogba like player up front, the defense would be more comfortable, and the mid field would be free to attack and play the type of football that Chelsea thrive on.

One of the commentators said last night that Arsenal are a wonderful team because they play beautiful football, and if you go in to play football against them you'll lose. I think that with Drogba / Teves at the forefront of Chelsea's attack, nothing would stop them. Not even Arsenal or Barcelona...