THAT WAS THE YEAR THAT WAS FOR CHELSEA FC. NOT THE BEST YEAR IN TERMS OF TROPHIES – but one of the best in terms of evolution. One of the saddest sights of 2008 for Blues fans had to be John Terry trooping up for his Champions League losing finalist’s medal after his fated penalty miss against Manchester United. But at least the Blues made it to Moscow – that in itself presents progress, yes, evolution. Let’s also remember they made it there without a manager. Okay, in figurehead terms Avram Grant was in the dressing room, but no one’s kidding themselves that he was actually responsible for the run to the final. It was the first time I personally can recall a players’ co-op – led by the formidable Terry and equally impressive Frankie Lampard – managing themselves. Big John was the boss, FL his assistant…both off and on the pitch. And they achieved something even Jose could not in getting to the CL final, didn’t they?
A word about Grant before I transgress. For all his lack of charisma and tactical nous, I did like the man. He possesses a certain humility and compassion that deserves a pat on the back. He clearly cared for the men in the team and his treatment of Frank after the tragic death of his mother was simply admirable. He is a good guy and could well do a job at somewhere like his old club Pompey – where I am far convinced of the credentials of Tony Adams to cope in the top-flight. But he just wasn’t good enough to manage a top outfit like Chelsea and I believe Roman Abramovich was spot on to dispense with his services. Especially when you consider the talent and merits of the man he brought in to replace the so-called Moderate One. Yes, Big Phil – top man and top manager. A brilliant choice. World Cup winner in 2002 with Brazil and the man who turned Portugal into serious contenders in Euro 2004 and World Cup 2006. When he arrived in Lisbon in 2003 he inherited a disheartened, demoralised squad of underachievers who had flopped a year earlier in the same World Cup he had won. When he left Portugal in 2008 a country’s football followers mourned his passing. Yes, he had done a truly wonderful job and brought through gems like Cristiano Ronaldo and Deco. The latter was probably his major legacy to the Portuguese nation. He had been forced to overcome opposition from within the camp led by the mighty Luis Figo to convince the country that Deco, a Brazilian, should be allowed to play because he had Portuguese grandparents. But Big Phil stuck to his guns and dismissed the mutiny, even warning Figo that he could quit the squad if he didn’t like the idea. This was a strong man; a man who would do things his way, a man of supreme self-belief backed up by an extraordinary record of success on different Continents. In South America, the Middle East, Japan and now Europe. And the real Christmas gift for Chelsea fans came early in 2008…on July 1, in fact, when the legend that is Big Phil Scolari walked into Stamford Bridge to work his magic. A genus yet a man with a rare humility, he is the character this club has been yearning for since it hit the heights with those two Premiership titles under Jose. Even though the reality of life at the Bridge has been slightly different than the brochure promised, he has kept his cool and not moaned – when others surely would have. Promised riches to buy whoever he wanted, the Big Man has had to make do and mend with the squad he inherited (which was admittedly a rather fine one) and one reasonably priced buy in the brilliant Deco. And wasn’t that £8million well spent? When everyone and their dog had written off the little Brazilian as yesterday’s man, he showed he has a cunning and skill in abundance. Remarkably, he has dovetailed perfectly with Frank Lampard – indeed I would contend he has been one of the reasons why Frankie boy has been enjoying his best ever season at any club and at any level. Sure, it was a big disappointment to Big Phil and Chelsea fans when another little Brazilian genius, Robinho, landed at Manchester City instead of Chelsea. It was also a loss: he would have provided another element of the unexpected and bolstered the squad considerably with his own particular brand of magic. I believe the board at the Bridge were wrong to let him slip out of their hands when it was clear he really wanted to play for Scolari. But again Big Phil didn’t moan loudly, okay, maybe, he was a little grumpy! And even when the Chelsea board warned him he wouldn’t have the fortune he had expected to spend in the January transfer window, he shrugged his shoulders and got on with the job of managing. Can you imagine the likes of Kevin Keegan doing that? Or would the Blues now be without a manager? There are genuine areas of the team that need strengthening – I am not particularly convinced by Malouda or Kalou – but you can be sure Scolari will do what’s best and bring in the right people if he gets the necessary backing. He won’t walk away: he is on a mission at the Bridge. A mission to prove he can cut it at the top in European club football, just as he did at the top in European international football with Portugal. Only a fool would bet against him accomplishing that mission – and I bet John Terry and Frankie Lampard are glad they can just concentrate on playing again now, rather than also having to manage the club they love.
As for those fans worried about Chelsea’s recent stumble (this was written after the 2-1 home loss to Arsenal), let’s bring in the catchphrase of that old rascal Michael Winner – ‘Calm down, dears!’ It is a temporary blip, nothing to panic about, let alone turn into a full-blown crisis. Scolari will deliver again – and he has already delivered. It is best to get the blip that all teams have over a season out of the way now. The team are second in the Prem, one point behind Liverpool, who never last the distance, and ahead of main rivals Man United. And that is without Drogba, Joe Cole and Carvalho. Look how Liverpool struggled against West Ham at home last night without Torres! When the big man is away they cannot cut it. So imagine how they would have been without Gerrard, too – which is what Chelsea have been like without the brilliant Michael Essien ALL SEASON.
No, calm down, dears – at least it might persuade Abramovich to spend in the January transfer window, in other words…the blip might be a blessing.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Mourinho and Sparky
Feel a bit sorry for Mark 'Sparky' Hughes - the old warhorse has proved himself a shrewd, resolute boss at Blackburn and for Wales, but it looks like it is all going pear shaped at Man City. It is not easy when you are a young manager trying to manage with a dark shadow looming over your shoulder...especially when that shadow is linked with brilliance and magic. Yes, Jose could be on his way back to England - two or three years earlier than we had expected. It has always been assumed he would land back on our shores when Sir Alex hung up his chewing gum for the last time in either 2010 or 2011, but there are flashing lights suggesting he is the man the United Arab Emirates based bosses of City may admire. Would Jose come? Well, would you change jobs for £15million a year? Especially as Italy now does not seem quiet so sparkling a place now those bad boys of the Press are ganging up on him over there. It will certainly be good to see the special one back in business...football in England hasn't had the same mischievous sparkle since he went away. But it would be sad to see Sparky'd caeer derailed - however temporary that would turn out to be.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Luiz Felipe - the man behind the mask
From InChelsea Nov 08...
TOP OF THE LEAGUE AND TOP OF THEIR CHAMPIONS LEAGUE group - and playing a more exciting brand of football than has been seen at the Bridge since the early days of Mourinho. Not a bad start for the big man from Brazil, hey?
And to think there were those who questioned the wisdom of bringing in Luiz Felipe Scolari on account of him never having managed a club side in Europe before.
They conveniently forgot he had worked all over the world as a club and international manager and had won trophies in his homeland, Kuwait and, of course, the World Cup as Brazil boss in Japan in 2002.
Along with Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger he is one of the three top managers in the Premiership and, I would contend, the world as it is difficult to come up with better names than that trio wherever you travel on this planet of ours.
Scolari has done so well with the players at his disposal. When Mourinho arrived he seemed intent on playing with flair and attacking adventure - as exemplified by the flying wingers (Arjen Robben and Shaun Wright-Phillips) he brought in.
Then the pragmatic side of the man weighed in and he seemed to decide results mattered above all else.
An undeniably brilliant manager nonetheless but at the end of his time at Chelsea his team’s solid, ‘no one shall pass’ style wasn't as exciting to watch as his biggest rivals Man United or Arsenal.
That would contribute to his downfall at the club as Roman Abramovich stressed time and time again to him that he wanted to win with style.
Scolari, who officially joined Chelsea on July 1, has managed to achieve what Jose couldn't sustain - and in just three months.
He is winning but winning with tactics that have brought a smile to the faces of both the owner and the fans.
It also strikes me how very likeable a man Big Phil is.
Prior to his arrival we were swamped with scare stories in the Press and on the internet suggesting he would be lucky to last the season given his alleged propensity to aggression and a totally maverick attitude. That image was fostered by the tales of him telling his players to cheat - by fouling and kicking the ball away to waste time - when he was boss of Gremio and Palmeiras in Brazil.
And then there was the well documented left hook he landed on the face of Ivica Dragutinovic just over a year ago. Big Phil reacted when he and the player exchanged words following Portugal's 1-1 draw with Serbia in a Euro 2008 qualifier.
The 'punch' was actually a half-hearted graze but the Press went to town.
So when it was announced Scolari was on his way to Chelsea fears were voiced that he would fall foul of the FA - that he would be in hot water that could see him banned or forced out if he allowed his temper to get the better of him.
The reality, as is so often the case in football, has proved dramatically different to the myths.
Big Phil has proved himself a mature, strong, measured character - a man who respects others and who deserves our respect.
This man is no nutter brought in on a whim: he has shown himself to have the gravitas of Wenger and Ferguson and the same skills as a manager of the highest esteem.
He is charm personified at the club - whether it be with the cleaners or the suits - and has endeared himself to Chelsea FC and the English footballing world.
He is no show off or big mouth. When his work is done he humbly returns to his Surrey home and spends time with his wife Olga.
He is a family man and a fine footballing man.
Humility was hardly the word I expected to use in connection with Big Phil, but that is one of his key assets, perhaps the key one.
It enables him to keep things in perspective and to not get carried away. He has no sense of self-importance; he is merely another worker at Chelsea FC. He knows he is privileged to work at the Bridge, that he has hit the jackpot in terms of the players he inherited, the facilities and the money available for transfers.
And he has got Chelsea playing attractive football with the same players who served under Jose and Avram Grant - plus the two men he has brought in, Deco and Mineiro.
The jury is out on the Brazilian player, but Deco was an inspired buy, taking the team to another level until injury struck.
Scolari has also revitalised Nicolas Anelka by spending time with the Frenchman and trying to build up his fragile self belief and self esteem.
Many people were shocked to learn that the man labelled 'Le Sulk' at previous clubs is actually not suffering from arrogance but confidence in himself.
Full marks to Big Phil for understanding the truth of it with Anelka and working with him. It certainly paid a dividend given Didier Drogba's early season absence from injury. Chelsea may have suffered from a lack of a goal threat when the Ivory Coast man was out, but a recharged Anelka helped them over that potentially tricky spell.
With full-backs Jose Boswinga and Ashley Cole encouraged to charge forward and Frank Lampard hitting the form of his life the Big Phil machine is conquering everything placed before it.
The only worry is that the squad seems lacking numbers. Sure, there is strength in depth if a man gets injured, but if his replacement also is sidelined then Felipe could have problems. But I have heard he is planning for that eventuality – he aims to make a couple of major signings when the transfer window opens in January.
You know, if he can beef up his squad then, I wouldn't be at all surprised if Scolari confirms his worth by lifting the Champions League come May next year. This man is a winner and Chelsea are fortunate to have him for what will surely be the best years of an already glittering career.
TOP OF THE LEAGUE AND TOP OF THEIR CHAMPIONS LEAGUE group - and playing a more exciting brand of football than has been seen at the Bridge since the early days of Mourinho. Not a bad start for the big man from Brazil, hey?
And to think there were those who questioned the wisdom of bringing in Luiz Felipe Scolari on account of him never having managed a club side in Europe before.
They conveniently forgot he had worked all over the world as a club and international manager and had won trophies in his homeland, Kuwait and, of course, the World Cup as Brazil boss in Japan in 2002.
Along with Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger he is one of the three top managers in the Premiership and, I would contend, the world as it is difficult to come up with better names than that trio wherever you travel on this planet of ours.
Scolari has done so well with the players at his disposal. When Mourinho arrived he seemed intent on playing with flair and attacking adventure - as exemplified by the flying wingers (Arjen Robben and Shaun Wright-Phillips) he brought in.
Then the pragmatic side of the man weighed in and he seemed to decide results mattered above all else.
An undeniably brilliant manager nonetheless but at the end of his time at Chelsea his team’s solid, ‘no one shall pass’ style wasn't as exciting to watch as his biggest rivals Man United or Arsenal.
That would contribute to his downfall at the club as Roman Abramovich stressed time and time again to him that he wanted to win with style.
Scolari, who officially joined Chelsea on July 1, has managed to achieve what Jose couldn't sustain - and in just three months.
He is winning but winning with tactics that have brought a smile to the faces of both the owner and the fans.
It also strikes me how very likeable a man Big Phil is.
Prior to his arrival we were swamped with scare stories in the Press and on the internet suggesting he would be lucky to last the season given his alleged propensity to aggression and a totally maverick attitude. That image was fostered by the tales of him telling his players to cheat - by fouling and kicking the ball away to waste time - when he was boss of Gremio and Palmeiras in Brazil.
And then there was the well documented left hook he landed on the face of Ivica Dragutinovic just over a year ago. Big Phil reacted when he and the player exchanged words following Portugal's 1-1 draw with Serbia in a Euro 2008 qualifier.
The 'punch' was actually a half-hearted graze but the Press went to town.
So when it was announced Scolari was on his way to Chelsea fears were voiced that he would fall foul of the FA - that he would be in hot water that could see him banned or forced out if he allowed his temper to get the better of him.
The reality, as is so often the case in football, has proved dramatically different to the myths.
Big Phil has proved himself a mature, strong, measured character - a man who respects others and who deserves our respect.
This man is no nutter brought in on a whim: he has shown himself to have the gravitas of Wenger and Ferguson and the same skills as a manager of the highest esteem.
He is charm personified at the club - whether it be with the cleaners or the suits - and has endeared himself to Chelsea FC and the English footballing world.
He is no show off or big mouth. When his work is done he humbly returns to his Surrey home and spends time with his wife Olga.
He is a family man and a fine footballing man.
Humility was hardly the word I expected to use in connection with Big Phil, but that is one of his key assets, perhaps the key one.
It enables him to keep things in perspective and to not get carried away. He has no sense of self-importance; he is merely another worker at Chelsea FC. He knows he is privileged to work at the Bridge, that he has hit the jackpot in terms of the players he inherited, the facilities and the money available for transfers.
And he has got Chelsea playing attractive football with the same players who served under Jose and Avram Grant - plus the two men he has brought in, Deco and Mineiro.
The jury is out on the Brazilian player, but Deco was an inspired buy, taking the team to another level until injury struck.
Scolari has also revitalised Nicolas Anelka by spending time with the Frenchman and trying to build up his fragile self belief and self esteem.
Many people were shocked to learn that the man labelled 'Le Sulk' at previous clubs is actually not suffering from arrogance but confidence in himself.
Full marks to Big Phil for understanding the truth of it with Anelka and working with him. It certainly paid a dividend given Didier Drogba's early season absence from injury. Chelsea may have suffered from a lack of a goal threat when the Ivory Coast man was out, but a recharged Anelka helped them over that potentially tricky spell.
With full-backs Jose Boswinga and Ashley Cole encouraged to charge forward and Frank Lampard hitting the form of his life the Big Phil machine is conquering everything placed before it.
The only worry is that the squad seems lacking numbers. Sure, there is strength in depth if a man gets injured, but if his replacement also is sidelined then Felipe could have problems. But I have heard he is planning for that eventuality – he aims to make a couple of major signings when the transfer window opens in January.
You know, if he can beef up his squad then, I wouldn't be at all surprised if Scolari confirms his worth by lifting the Champions League come May next year. This man is a winner and Chelsea are fortunate to have him for what will surely be the best years of an already glittering career.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
www.redhetvoetbal.net
A site well worth a look. Gives you an idea of what is happening football-wise on the continent and an introduction to one of the top football writers there - one of the good guys, step forward Raf Willems in Antwerp. Raf is an independent sportswriter/author & campaigner (football & good causes) in the Low Countries. He has written more than 15 books about the (social) history of football & one of them is named: Manchester United, rebels & betoverend. (Manchester United, glamorous rebels). Keep up the good work, Raf...all the best.
Marcos
Marcos, hello there - great to hear from you mate. Hope all is well down in sunny old Brighton. Thanks for the kind words. I think Chelsea are on target for winning at least the Prem and possibly the Champions League with Big Phil at the helm. The man is a proven World Class talent, up there along with Ferguson, Wenger and Mourinho as one of the best four club managers in the world game right now. My only reservation is if he does not get the cash backing from Roman Abramoovich in the January transfer window. He has shown he can do the business with the players he inherited but has only had the readies to splash out on Deco so far (yes, I know Deco has been a bit off colour of late, but he is recovering from injury and remember his brilliance at the start of the season: the link-up he has with Frank Lampard, which everyone says would flop, has been one of the highlights of the season). The Chelsea squad is top class but needs reinforcements in a couple of areas - in particular I am still not convinced by Malouda and Kalou. I know Big Phil wants to bring in a couple of men to strengthen the squad in those areas - he needs financial backing to do so.
Bad result in Rome - but not the end of the world. The only real thing to come from that match was that the Champions League final should not be played there. The city doesn't deserve it while trouble continues to flare outside the Olympic Stadium, caused by some of the locals. There was aggro again when Chelsea played there (on the back of that dished out when Man United visited last year) and the continued failure to control the troublemakers means the city should forfeit he right to host the CL Final in my eyes. If it was a stadium in England and English fans had caused the trouble, you can be sure the final would already have been taken away and given to another country.
Bad result in Rome - but not the end of the world. The only real thing to come from that match was that the Champions League final should not be played there. The city doesn't deserve it while trouble continues to flare outside the Olympic Stadium, caused by some of the locals. There was aggro again when Chelsea played there (on the back of that dished out when Man United visited last year) and the continued failure to control the troublemakers means the city should forfeit he right to host the CL Final in my eyes. If it was a stadium in England and English fans had caused the trouble, you can be sure the final would already have been taken away and given to another country.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Roman Abramovich's five years at the Bridge
From Chelsea magazine July 2008:
IT’S FIVE YEARS exactly since Roman Abramovich took over at Chelsea FC. So, just how should we interpret the first part of the Russian oligarch's reign - and is he a no-nonsense, tough, interfering dictator, or benevolent, well-meaning bearer of gifts? First, let me say it strikes me that most critics like to see Roman in black or white, usually black, depicting him as a dark, menacing influence. This view clearly suits the comic book images they like to set up for their readers - just as, say, Cristiano Ronaldo is either a Judas for wanting to leave Man Utd, or a lad who is, after all, only following the instincts of his manager Ferguson, who once himself had no qualms about quitting Aberdeen for his own dream job.
Yes, my feeling is that life is rarely black or white: it is a mix of both.
So Roman's reign has elements of both simplistic viewpoints outlined above. He has at once been tough and demanding of his staff, but also a wonderful beneficiary to the history of Chelsea FC.
When he took over on July 1, 2003, Chelsea were in financial disarray - with estimated debts of £80million - and had not won the league title since 1955. That's 48 long years.
Yet five years into the Abramovich era, the club have won the same coveted honour twice. Talk about two buses coming along when once you had to wait all day for one!
Roman has also invested heavily to bring the world's top players and coaches to the Bridge.
Okay, many Blues fans still pine for the great, lamented Mourinho, but now a similarly new exciting era looms with the appointment of the Brazilian Luiz Felipe Scolari. I believe that 'Big Phil' will severely examine United's hold on the league title and the Champions League. Some have questioned whether he was the right choice to take over at the Bridge after Portugal's disappointing Euro 2008 exit, but looking at it another way he did well to take them close to the summit given his lack of an obvious, top-notch centre forward.
In club football that will not be a problem - thanks to Abramovich, Big Phil will have the cash at his disposal to plug any obvious deficiencies in the team.
I also do not accept the view that Roman has consistently been interfering with the team - trying to get the manager to pick so and so. In fact, Jose confirmed that in a recent interview, saying it had not happened while he was in command - and that Roman was a good man to work for.
Similarly, if Roman had wanted a stooge as head coach - a man he could have strung along like a puppet to pick the players he wanted - he would surely have kept his old friend Avram Grant in the job? It would surely have been easier to have bent Grant's ear with requests than an old battler like Big Phil? The man who has thrived on confrontations in a quarter of a century as a top-notch manager - and who has made it clear he will be in charge, or he will be off.
No, my view is that the Press should give Roman a break and lay off the clichés and stereotypes. The man is a winner - a tough businessman who wants to translate his success in industry to his chosen sport, football.
The facts speak: his five years at Chelsea have coincided with the most successful era in the club's history. Two Premier League titles, one FA Cup, two League Cups, one bodged penalty kick from winning the Champions League.
One other thing this month...we mentioned Ronaldo earlier, and it struck me how his playing of his on-off Utd/Real Madrid transfer merry-go-round saga contrasted sharply with that of the man I consider to be the unsung hero at the Bridge.
Step forward the great Michael Essien.
The midfield warrior king – the glue that enables the likes of Michael Ballack and, shortly, Deco, to shine. I love the Ghanain for his never-say-die attitude, his lung-busting forays and his magnificent power and strength on the ball.
And I also love the man’s loyalty to the football club who took a gamble by paying £26million to the French club Lyon for his services in 2005.
While Ronaldo consistently refused to kill off the rumours that he wanted to join Madrid and seemed to revel in the hornet’s nest he was stirring up – a hornet’s nest that was destabilizing the club and team-mates with whom he had just won the Champions League – Essien was strong and steadfast when it was put to him that he might be tempted to join Jose at Inter Milan.
Essien immediately ruled out a switch and stressed his allegiance to the Blue flag.
However, Essien, who was brought to Stamford Bridge by Mourinho from Lyon in 2005, has insisted he is looking to next term with Chelsea.
He said: ‘I will go back to Chelsea for the next season and expect to have a great season. We have shown as a club that we can handle disappointments, and I think we will be able to bounce back next season a better side.
‘Most of the guys have gone on holidays and they will put the disappointment of the last season behind them. The season generally was very disappointing, but that is football. When you put these things behind you, you become stronger.’
That is my kind of man; my kind of football man. Loyal, fiercely dedicated to his club and their cause. In much the same way as Roman Abramovich has been to Chelsea – despite what the knockers, motivated by jealousy and envy, would have you believe. See you next month.
IT’S FIVE YEARS exactly since Roman Abramovich took over at Chelsea FC. So, just how should we interpret the first part of the Russian oligarch's reign - and is he a no-nonsense, tough, interfering dictator, or benevolent, well-meaning bearer of gifts? First, let me say it strikes me that most critics like to see Roman in black or white, usually black, depicting him as a dark, menacing influence. This view clearly suits the comic book images they like to set up for their readers - just as, say, Cristiano Ronaldo is either a Judas for wanting to leave Man Utd, or a lad who is, after all, only following the instincts of his manager Ferguson, who once himself had no qualms about quitting Aberdeen for his own dream job.
Yes, my feeling is that life is rarely black or white: it is a mix of both.
So Roman's reign has elements of both simplistic viewpoints outlined above. He has at once been tough and demanding of his staff, but also a wonderful beneficiary to the history of Chelsea FC.
When he took over on July 1, 2003, Chelsea were in financial disarray - with estimated debts of £80million - and had not won the league title since 1955. That's 48 long years.
Yet five years into the Abramovich era, the club have won the same coveted honour twice. Talk about two buses coming along when once you had to wait all day for one!
Roman has also invested heavily to bring the world's top players and coaches to the Bridge.
Okay, many Blues fans still pine for the great, lamented Mourinho, but now a similarly new exciting era looms with the appointment of the Brazilian Luiz Felipe Scolari. I believe that 'Big Phil' will severely examine United's hold on the league title and the Champions League. Some have questioned whether he was the right choice to take over at the Bridge after Portugal's disappointing Euro 2008 exit, but looking at it another way he did well to take them close to the summit given his lack of an obvious, top-notch centre forward.
In club football that will not be a problem - thanks to Abramovich, Big Phil will have the cash at his disposal to plug any obvious deficiencies in the team.
I also do not accept the view that Roman has consistently been interfering with the team - trying to get the manager to pick so and so. In fact, Jose confirmed that in a recent interview, saying it had not happened while he was in command - and that Roman was a good man to work for.
Similarly, if Roman had wanted a stooge as head coach - a man he could have strung along like a puppet to pick the players he wanted - he would surely have kept his old friend Avram Grant in the job? It would surely have been easier to have bent Grant's ear with requests than an old battler like Big Phil? The man who has thrived on confrontations in a quarter of a century as a top-notch manager - and who has made it clear he will be in charge, or he will be off.
No, my view is that the Press should give Roman a break and lay off the clichés and stereotypes. The man is a winner - a tough businessman who wants to translate his success in industry to his chosen sport, football.
The facts speak: his five years at Chelsea have coincided with the most successful era in the club's history. Two Premier League titles, one FA Cup, two League Cups, one bodged penalty kick from winning the Champions League.
One other thing this month...we mentioned Ronaldo earlier, and it struck me how his playing of his on-off Utd/Real Madrid transfer merry-go-round saga contrasted sharply with that of the man I consider to be the unsung hero at the Bridge.
Step forward the great Michael Essien.
The midfield warrior king – the glue that enables the likes of Michael Ballack and, shortly, Deco, to shine. I love the Ghanain for his never-say-die attitude, his lung-busting forays and his magnificent power and strength on the ball.
And I also love the man’s loyalty to the football club who took a gamble by paying £26million to the French club Lyon for his services in 2005.
While Ronaldo consistently refused to kill off the rumours that he wanted to join Madrid and seemed to revel in the hornet’s nest he was stirring up – a hornet’s nest that was destabilizing the club and team-mates with whom he had just won the Champions League – Essien was strong and steadfast when it was put to him that he might be tempted to join Jose at Inter Milan.
Essien immediately ruled out a switch and stressed his allegiance to the Blue flag.
However, Essien, who was brought to Stamford Bridge by Mourinho from Lyon in 2005, has insisted he is looking to next term with Chelsea.
He said: ‘I will go back to Chelsea for the next season and expect to have a great season. We have shown as a club that we can handle disappointments, and I think we will be able to bounce back next season a better side.
‘Most of the guys have gone on holidays and they will put the disappointment of the last season behind them. The season generally was very disappointing, but that is football. When you put these things behind you, you become stronger.’
That is my kind of man; my kind of football man. Loyal, fiercely dedicated to his club and their cause. In much the same way as Roman Abramovich has been to Chelsea – despite what the knockers, motivated by jealousy and envy, would have you believe. See you next month.
Monday, June 16, 2008
New column in Chelsea mag. Published June 11, prior to Scolari appointment
LET'S BEGIN AT THE END...the end of last season that is...and get one thing straight right away.
The sacking of Avram Grant was the right decision if, and it is a big if, it takes the club forwards in the way that say the sacking of Sven Goran Eriksson has done at Manchester City.
Few City fans backed the decision by Thai owner Thaksin Shinawatra to dump the former England manager, arguing he had done a decent job at Eastlands.
They demonstrated at their last game of the season, demanding he be retained. But they are not demonstrating now. Indeed many are secretly applauding the decision.
Why? Easy answer in two words: Mark Hughes.
Few of them had given Shinawatra the perception and vision to appoint a man who arguably can take them to heights they have not scaled since the late 60s and the heyday of Lee, Summerbee, Bell etc
And the similarities with the Bridge are uncanny: a foreigner (Roman Abramovich) is once again seen as having no real perception of how a club should be run and managed, and it is widely believed he does not have the vision, or even the discipline, to appoint the right man to coach his team.
Yet for their faults, both Shinawatra and Abramovich have come into clubs that were in a financial mess and turned them around quickly on the field (the Thai with Eriksson, Roman with Jose Mourinho). Now they both want to improve on the foundations they have laid - and what is wrong with that? Surely, we should give them more credit than we do?
Some Chelsea fans argued Grant should be granted (excuse the contrived play on words!) an extension; that his feat in taking the club to runners-up spot in the Premiership and the same outcome in the Champions League had earned him a chance to at least establish his credentials over a full season.
Many others believed he was out of his depth and that the club had stormed to an end of season push purely because of player power. I am one of those in the latter bracket: I do not feel Grant is good enough to take on Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger on a regular basis. Like the Blue non-believers, I would go along with the opinion that Chelsea FC largely managed themselves for the run-in - or more particularly John Terry, Frank Lampard and the ever improving and influential Michael Ballack did.
Grant's role appeared more that of a benign uncle sat on the touchlines, ready to embrace the players with a hug and keep spirits up - and full credit to him for that. In that sense, he was a success, but I do not see him having the footballing vision, perception or tactical nous to usurp Ferguson.
Which brings us to the future and his successor.
For me, there were always three major candidates for the job: Carlo Ancelotti, Frank Rijkaard and Big Phil Scolari. Outside those, there were Hughes and the sacked Inter Milan boss Roberto Mancini. I contend Hughes is a fine choice at Man City, but don’t know if he would have been for Chelsea. I am not convinced he can put together an entertaining enough team to satisfy Blues fans, or even for that matter, Manchester United fans given he is always mentioned as a possible successor to Ferguson when old purple face finally hangs up his chewing gum.
My pick would have been Ancelotti. Yes, I know you could argue he failed last season at AC Milan (they finished 5th, outside the Champions League spots), but he has won the Champions League twice - and that is what Roman Abramovich craves more than anything. He is also a proven motivator of big names (Kaka being the biggest) and, despite looking like a knackered Italian version of the Pilsbury dough man, is the right age at 49. He is a winner.
Of the other two, either would bring charisma to the job - and both Scolari and Rijkaard are also winners. Scolari's detractors would argue he has not managed in Europe - well, the last I heard, the Portuguese national team was still in Europe, and he ain't done a bad job there! He may seem a maverick, but there is much more depth to the man than meets the eye.
As for Rijkaard, again his record speaks for itself - particularly winning the Champions League with attacking, wonderful football with Barca in 2006.
Even the outsider Mancini could surely do a better job than Grant although I rated him the least attractive option of the big names. Having said that, he did win three Serie A crowns with Inter Milan.
Which brings us nicely to Mr Mourinho, still regarded by many as the king of Stamford Bridge, even almost a year after he was sacked. I am going to stick my neck out here and say I think Jose has made a big mistake succeeding Mancini at the San Siro.
I am one of his biggest fans and admirers, but I can't see the logic in the move - apart from the bulging salary, of course. Jose is a man who takes on teams with potential and takes them higher, turns them into champions and is a man who regenerates clubs from top to bottom with his mighty ego and managerial brilliance.
In short, he casts a large shadow wherever he goes; he lifted the blues at Porto and at Chelsea, even winning the Champions League with the little-fancied Portuguese club.
Yet Inter may provide problems. The players already believe they are champions after winning those three successive Serie A titles, and may not be as receptive of his methods (and his ego!) as were Porto and Chelsea.
He has to win the Champions League in his first season at Inter to show the dismissal of Mancini was the correct decision, and I don't think he will do it. I believe Chelsea or Man Utd will win it and have him crying in his pasta.
My feeling is that Jose’s heart remains at Stamford Bridge and that one day - when he has accumulated sufficient millions - Chelsea will have a new foreign owner if Roman tires of the job. That man will be Jose Mourinho – and I bet few Blues fans would argue then about the owner trying to pick the team!
FRANK WORRALL
The sacking of Avram Grant was the right decision if, and it is a big if, it takes the club forwards in the way that say the sacking of Sven Goran Eriksson has done at Manchester City.
Few City fans backed the decision by Thai owner Thaksin Shinawatra to dump the former England manager, arguing he had done a decent job at Eastlands.
They demonstrated at their last game of the season, demanding he be retained. But they are not demonstrating now. Indeed many are secretly applauding the decision.
Why? Easy answer in two words: Mark Hughes.
Few of them had given Shinawatra the perception and vision to appoint a man who arguably can take them to heights they have not scaled since the late 60s and the heyday of Lee, Summerbee, Bell etc
And the similarities with the Bridge are uncanny: a foreigner (Roman Abramovich) is once again seen as having no real perception of how a club should be run and managed, and it is widely believed he does not have the vision, or even the discipline, to appoint the right man to coach his team.
Yet for their faults, both Shinawatra and Abramovich have come into clubs that were in a financial mess and turned them around quickly on the field (the Thai with Eriksson, Roman with Jose Mourinho). Now they both want to improve on the foundations they have laid - and what is wrong with that? Surely, we should give them more credit than we do?
Some Chelsea fans argued Grant should be granted (excuse the contrived play on words!) an extension; that his feat in taking the club to runners-up spot in the Premiership and the same outcome in the Champions League had earned him a chance to at least establish his credentials over a full season.
Many others believed he was out of his depth and that the club had stormed to an end of season push purely because of player power. I am one of those in the latter bracket: I do not feel Grant is good enough to take on Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger on a regular basis. Like the Blue non-believers, I would go along with the opinion that Chelsea FC largely managed themselves for the run-in - or more particularly John Terry, Frank Lampard and the ever improving and influential Michael Ballack did.
Grant's role appeared more that of a benign uncle sat on the touchlines, ready to embrace the players with a hug and keep spirits up - and full credit to him for that. In that sense, he was a success, but I do not see him having the footballing vision, perception or tactical nous to usurp Ferguson.
Which brings us to the future and his successor.
For me, there were always three major candidates for the job: Carlo Ancelotti, Frank Rijkaard and Big Phil Scolari. Outside those, there were Hughes and the sacked Inter Milan boss Roberto Mancini. I contend Hughes is a fine choice at Man City, but don’t know if he would have been for Chelsea. I am not convinced he can put together an entertaining enough team to satisfy Blues fans, or even for that matter, Manchester United fans given he is always mentioned as a possible successor to Ferguson when old purple face finally hangs up his chewing gum.
My pick would have been Ancelotti. Yes, I know you could argue he failed last season at AC Milan (they finished 5th, outside the Champions League spots), but he has won the Champions League twice - and that is what Roman Abramovich craves more than anything. He is also a proven motivator of big names (Kaka being the biggest) and, despite looking like a knackered Italian version of the Pilsbury dough man, is the right age at 49. He is a winner.
Of the other two, either would bring charisma to the job - and both Scolari and Rijkaard are also winners. Scolari's detractors would argue he has not managed in Europe - well, the last I heard, the Portuguese national team was still in Europe, and he ain't done a bad job there! He may seem a maverick, but there is much more depth to the man than meets the eye.
As for Rijkaard, again his record speaks for itself - particularly winning the Champions League with attacking, wonderful football with Barca in 2006.
Even the outsider Mancini could surely do a better job than Grant although I rated him the least attractive option of the big names. Having said that, he did win three Serie A crowns with Inter Milan.
Which brings us nicely to Mr Mourinho, still regarded by many as the king of Stamford Bridge, even almost a year after he was sacked. I am going to stick my neck out here and say I think Jose has made a big mistake succeeding Mancini at the San Siro.
I am one of his biggest fans and admirers, but I can't see the logic in the move - apart from the bulging salary, of course. Jose is a man who takes on teams with potential and takes them higher, turns them into champions and is a man who regenerates clubs from top to bottom with his mighty ego and managerial brilliance.
In short, he casts a large shadow wherever he goes; he lifted the blues at Porto and at Chelsea, even winning the Champions League with the little-fancied Portuguese club.
Yet Inter may provide problems. The players already believe they are champions after winning those three successive Serie A titles, and may not be as receptive of his methods (and his ego!) as were Porto and Chelsea.
He has to win the Champions League in his first season at Inter to show the dismissal of Mancini was the correct decision, and I don't think he will do it. I believe Chelsea or Man Utd will win it and have him crying in his pasta.
My feeling is that Jose’s heart remains at Stamford Bridge and that one day - when he has accumulated sufficient millions - Chelsea will have a new foreign owner if Roman tires of the job. That man will be Jose Mourinho – and I bet few Blues fans would argue then about the owner trying to pick the team!
FRANK WORRALL
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Joy and Division Two
Was just reading a site on The Smiths - and noticed that I am down as having done the first solo interview with Morrissey.
http://www.passionsjustlikemine.com/smiths-m.htm
I remember it now, the Midland hotel in Manchester up from the Free Trade Hall, me and Mozza sharing a bottle of wine! In 1973 I saw my first concert at the Free Trade Hall...it was a lifechanging moment. David Bowie with the Aladdin Sane tour. Had a big effect on me, a young boy from Heywood who was shy and a bit fearful.
Which brings me to the movie Control. Have just seen it on DVD and wished I had seen it at the cinema.I can honestly say it is one of the best films I have ever seen -in the top 10. Sam Ryan is brilliant as the tortured genius who was Ian Curtis,and the music is stunning. I used to know the film's producer Anton Corbjin from my days as a music journalist - you have done good old mate. I think it is a much better film that 24 Hour Party People, much more realistic and challenging.
My favourite Joy Division song? Shadowplay.
I also have the distinction of naming a song for New Order - The Perfect Kiss.I did the first interview with the band backstage at the Hacienda in the early 80s and told Hooky that I really liked the song called The Perfect Kiss.He told me they had no song of that name - but knew the one I meant. On the album it was there in all its glory - and called The Perfect Kiss as Hooky and Bernard had liked my suggestion.
Ah, nothing like a bit of nostalgia, hey??!!
Back to the 70s...I see that there's a book coming out with the musings of Tommy Docherty's first wife Agnes. I loved the Doc and his style of football.I was just a youngster standing nervously on the Stretford End when he transformed the team from the dreg ends of the Busby era and established his own exciting team...from 6ft 2 eyes of blue, Big Jim Holton's after you to Gordon Hill's king of all cockneys. I know the Ferguson era has been the most successful but the era of the Doc remains my favourite. The bull in a china shop who blew away the cobwebs and laid the foundations of a new United.
To the centre of the city where all roads
meet looking for you
To the depths of the ocean
where all hopes sank searching for you
Moving through the silence without motion
waiting for you
In a room with no window in the corner,
I found truth
...thanks again Ian, and thanks Tommy, for some great memories.
http://www.passionsjustlikemine.com/smiths-m.htm
I remember it now, the Midland hotel in Manchester up from the Free Trade Hall, me and Mozza sharing a bottle of wine! In 1973 I saw my first concert at the Free Trade Hall...it was a lifechanging moment. David Bowie with the Aladdin Sane tour. Had a big effect on me, a young boy from Heywood who was shy and a bit fearful.
Which brings me to the movie Control. Have just seen it on DVD and wished I had seen it at the cinema.I can honestly say it is one of the best films I have ever seen -in the top 10. Sam Ryan is brilliant as the tortured genius who was Ian Curtis,and the music is stunning. I used to know the film's producer Anton Corbjin from my days as a music journalist - you have done good old mate. I think it is a much better film that 24 Hour Party People, much more realistic and challenging.
My favourite Joy Division song? Shadowplay.
I also have the distinction of naming a song for New Order - The Perfect Kiss.I did the first interview with the band backstage at the Hacienda in the early 80s and told Hooky that I really liked the song called The Perfect Kiss.He told me they had no song of that name - but knew the one I meant. On the album it was there in all its glory - and called The Perfect Kiss as Hooky and Bernard had liked my suggestion.
Ah, nothing like a bit of nostalgia, hey??!!
Back to the 70s...I see that there's a book coming out with the musings of Tommy Docherty's first wife Agnes. I loved the Doc and his style of football.I was just a youngster standing nervously on the Stretford End when he transformed the team from the dreg ends of the Busby era and established his own exciting team...from 6ft 2 eyes of blue, Big Jim Holton's after you to Gordon Hill's king of all cockneys. I know the Ferguson era has been the most successful but the era of the Doc remains my favourite. The bull in a china shop who blew away the cobwebs and laid the foundations of a new United.
To the centre of the city where all roads
meet looking for you
To the depths of the ocean
where all hopes sank searching for you
Moving through the silence without motion
waiting for you
In a room with no window in the corner,
I found truth
...thanks again Ian, and thanks Tommy, for some great memories.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Bits and pieces
DIDN'T think much of Sir Alex Ferguson's putdown of the United crowd - when he described the atmosphere as being like a funeral after Manchester United's 1-0 win over Birmingham City on New Year's Day. "The crowd were dead," he complained. "That was the quietest I have heard the crowd and it's disappointing because we needed the crowd today. We have come through a difficult period of game after game and in moments like these we need a lift. But it was like a funeral out there." Not very appropriate words there, Alex, given that Motherwell captain Phil O'Donnell had died the previous Saturday after collapsing during a Scottish Premier League match against Dundee United - and that there were tributes to him during the New Year's Day games.
UNITED'S automatic cup scheme for season ticket holders needs sorting. I see David Gill said the system would be tinkered with - ie season ticket holders will not have to buy Carling Cup tickets next term - but surely it needs a proper overhaul? People I know say there should be a two tier set-up - with a return to league match ticket books and season tickets. The former would by definition get LMTBs, the latter the full monty. Others say the set-up should return to that of the 70s and 80s when your season ticket meant you got all the league matches and the FA Cup, and paid extra for any other games, if you wanted. I think the latter is a fair deal, but I doubt the Glazers will go for it.
I AM not sure about Mark Hughes as the next manager of Man Utd. My feeling is that his teams are functional and not entertaining enough. If Utd are going for grinding out results Mourinho is surely a better bet? It would not surprise me if the Portuguese is the next manager at Old Trafford - it is going to take a big man to walk into the shadow cast by Ferguson...that man certainly is not Queiroz whose one claim to the post is that he is well in with the Portuguese/Brazilian players at OT.
Sparky could do worse than prove me and other people wrong by taking up the Newcastle job - and turning the club around. I wonder if Shearer has the guts to finally put up - if not he should shut up and let the club get on with its business. It is a difficult enough job without him playing a Phantom of the Opera role around St James'...
David Beckham should not play for England against Switzerland just so he can get that 100th cap and boost the Wembley gate. If he does, it will make a mockery of Fabio Capello's claim to be an iron man who puts out the best team on the day. Becks was great for United, but his day has gone.
The American election is brilliant viewing on the box - much better than some of the football swill served up by Sky. Barack Obama is inspirational, but can he beat the Clinton machine? Hope so...
Plug of the month...all the best for this year to Angelo at Red Legends. A great man and a fine business. Good seeing you in December mate - see you again later this year. Also a big hello to Russell Forgham - another fine man and an inspirational figure who lives life to the full.
UNITED'S automatic cup scheme for season ticket holders needs sorting. I see David Gill said the system would be tinkered with - ie season ticket holders will not have to buy Carling Cup tickets next term - but surely it needs a proper overhaul? People I know say there should be a two tier set-up - with a return to league match ticket books and season tickets. The former would by definition get LMTBs, the latter the full monty. Others say the set-up should return to that of the 70s and 80s when your season ticket meant you got all the league matches and the FA Cup, and paid extra for any other games, if you wanted. I think the latter is a fair deal, but I doubt the Glazers will go for it.
I AM not sure about Mark Hughes as the next manager of Man Utd. My feeling is that his teams are functional and not entertaining enough. If Utd are going for grinding out results Mourinho is surely a better bet? It would not surprise me if the Portuguese is the next manager at Old Trafford - it is going to take a big man to walk into the shadow cast by Ferguson...that man certainly is not Queiroz whose one claim to the post is that he is well in with the Portuguese/Brazilian players at OT.
Sparky could do worse than prove me and other people wrong by taking up the Newcastle job - and turning the club around. I wonder if Shearer has the guts to finally put up - if not he should shut up and let the club get on with its business. It is a difficult enough job without him playing a Phantom of the Opera role around St James'...
David Beckham should not play for England against Switzerland just so he can get that 100th cap and boost the Wembley gate. If he does, it will make a mockery of Fabio Capello's claim to be an iron man who puts out the best team on the day. Becks was great for United, but his day has gone.
The American election is brilliant viewing on the box - much better than some of the football swill served up by Sky. Barack Obama is inspirational, but can he beat the Clinton machine? Hope so...
Plug of the month...all the best for this year to Angelo at Red Legends. A great man and a fine business. Good seeing you in December mate - see you again later this year. Also a big hello to Russell Forgham - another fine man and an inspirational figure who lives life to the full.
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