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Gary Cahill signing, Fernando Torres improving & five reasons why Chelsea are on track for a strong Premier League run-in
With Andre Villas-Boas' men set to take on Norwich this Saturday, we've taken a look at why the Blues can be optimistic about enjoying a positive second half to the season
20-Jan-2012 3:16:00 PM
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ANALYSIS
By Liam Twomey
After his meteoric rise to prominence with Porto in the first half of 2011, Andre Villas-Boas arrived at Stamford Bridge to succeed Carlo Ancelotti as Chelsea manager last July riding a wave of formidable momentum.
What has transpired since has provided something of a reality check. Charged with the task of revitalising an ageing Blues squad largely untouched since the days of mentor Jose Mourinho, Villas-Boas’ aura of invincibility has been shattered as he battles inherited demons.
Yet despite inconsistent results, disjointed performances and player unrest, the Chelsea revolution continues apace. The new boss, while criticised like never before, has weathered the storm, and the dawning of 2012 brought with it the sense that the worst is over.
As Arsenal and Liverpool flounder, a trip to Carrow Road to face Premier League new boys Norwich on Saturday provides an opportunity for the Blues to take another step towards the fourth place finish which will allow them to keep their seat at the Champions League table.
Success is, of course, by no means assured. The Canaries are proving a revelation in their first top flight campaign since 2005, and in Paul Lambert they possess one of the brightest managerial talents in the land.
But with form improving, injury worries easing and the transfer window very much open for business, Villas-Boas has plenty of reasons to be optimistic going into Saturday and beyond. Goal.com sheds light on why the second half of the season promises much more for Chelsea…
In the first few months of Andre Villas-Boas’ reign, Chelsea have been as inconsistent and beatable as at any point during the Roman Abramovich era.
A league campaign which boasts a victory over leaders Manchester City and a creditable draw away at Tottenham has also already yielded five defeats, most embarrassingly at home to Aston Villa and away to QPR, but also against Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool.
The Blues’ form since the advent of 2012, however, has given rise to hope of better things to come in the New Year.
Three consecutive victories, albeit against limited opposition in the form of Wolves, Portsmouth and Sunderland, have lifted the cloud of gloom over Stamford Bridge, and the confidence gained could well provide a platform to overcome the tougher challenges ahead.
A new manager, a new season and several new team-mates have done much to suggest Torres’ only remaining problems are of the mind, rather than of the body. The power, pace and speed of thought all look to be returning and, if his progress continues, goals will surely follow.
A three-match ban for a foolish dismissal against Swansea back in September set him back a few months on the comeback trail, but a string of steadily improving displays in recent weeks indicate Torres may yet be the man to spearhead the ‘New Chelsea’.
Back in 2007 he was voted Chelsea’s player of the year after a campaign in which he shone across midfield and in defence. A regular Fifa Ballon d’Or nominee between 2005 and 2007, he was widely regarded as the finest combative midfielder in the world.
Even at 29, a tireless work rate, physical presence and exceptional versatility mark Essien out as a world-class talent. Provided he stays fit, the Ghanaian should prove far more valuable to Villas-Boas than any signing.
He may have been charged with the unenviable task of radically overhauling the Chelsea squad whilst keeping the team competitive on the pitch, but Villas-Boas can at least console himself with the knowledge he is not expected to do it on a shoestring.
Roman Abramovich has already indicated a willingness to back his new man in the transfer market. Juan Mata, Raul Meireles and Gary Cahill have been acquired for a combined outlay of over £40 million, and Luka Modric was vigorously pursued in the summer.
Marseille’s Spanish right-back Cesar Azpilicueta is widely rumoured to be a top January target, while Lille golden boy Eden Hazard has also been linked with a move which would state emphatically that Chelsea are serious about remaining a force at home and abroad.
The New Year is not likely to witness drastic personnel changes at Stamford Bridge, but the suggestion is the Blues will spend – and big – if the right opportunity presents itself.
By Liam Twomey
After his meteoric rise to prominence with Porto in the first half of 2011, Andre Villas-Boas arrived at Stamford Bridge to succeed Carlo Ancelotti as Chelsea manager last July riding a wave of formidable momentum.
What has transpired since has provided something of a reality check. Charged with the task of revitalising an ageing Blues squad largely untouched since the days of mentor Jose Mourinho, Villas-Boas’ aura of invincibility has been shattered as he battles inherited demons.
Yet despite inconsistent results, disjointed performances and player unrest, the Chelsea revolution continues apace. The new boss, while criticised like never before, has weathered the storm, and the dawning of 2012 brought with it the sense that the worst is over.
As Arsenal and Liverpool flounder, a trip to Carrow Road to face Premier League new boys Norwich on Saturday provides an opportunity for the Blues to take another step towards the fourth place finish which will allow them to keep their seat at the Champions League table.
Success is, of course, by no means assured. The Canaries are proving a revelation in their first top flight campaign since 2005, and in Paul Lambert they possess one of the brightest managerial talents in the land.
But with form improving, injury worries easing and the transfer window very much open for business, Villas-Boas has plenty of reasons to be optimistic going into Saturday and beyond. Goal.com sheds light on why the second half of the season promises much more for Chelsea…
| THE ARRIVAL OF GARY CAHILL |
The need for defensive reinforcements at Stamford Bridge has been painfully obvious for some time.
Even the abandonment of Villas-Boas’ much-maligned high line has failed to restore the solidity for which Chelsea have been famed in recent years, and the signing of Gary Cahill from Bolton is merely the club’s latest attempt to solve a persistent problem.
Cahill’s reputation has taken a considerable hit over the past few months by virtue of his presence at the heart of a deeply underwhelming Trotters backline, but he remains a talented defender who, in the right environment, has much to offer.
At £7 million he also represents reasonable value in the inflated January transfer market and, while not blessed with lightning pace, his superior speed to both John Terry and David Luiz means he could feasibly bloom into a more than able starting companion for either.
| PERFECT START TO 2012 |
In the first few months of Andre Villas-Boas’ reign, Chelsea have been as inconsistent and beatable as at any point during the Roman Abramovich era.
A league campaign which boasts a victory over leaders Manchester City and a creditable draw away at Tottenham has also already yielded five defeats, most embarrassingly at home to Aston Villa and away to QPR, but also against Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool.
The Blues’ form since the advent of 2012, however, has given rise to hope of better things to come in the New Year.
Three consecutive victories, albeit against limited opposition in the form of Wolves, Portsmouth and Sunderland, have lifted the cloud of gloom over Stamford Bridge, and the confidence gained could well provide a platform to overcome the tougher challenges ahead.
| TORRES IMPROVING AT LAST |
In case you didn’t know, Chelsea paid £50 million to sign Fernando Torres from Liverpool last January, and as yet he hasn’t exactly lived up to expectations.
The Spaniard’s form – or rather, lack of – has repeatedly been used as a stick to beat both player and club with ever since, but it is clear the Chelsea team he found himself parachuted into a year ago was not one geared towards his strengths.A new manager, a new season and several new team-mates have done much to suggest Torres’ only remaining problems are of the mind, rather than of the body. The power, pace and speed of thought all look to be returning and, if his progress continues, goals will surely follow.
A three-match ban for a foolish dismissal against Swansea back in September set him back a few months on the comeback trail, but a string of steadily improving displays in recent weeks indicate Torres may yet be the man to spearhead the ‘New Chelsea’.
| THE RETURN OF ESSIEN |
Much has been made of the transfer business Chelsea may or may not do in January, but the most significant addition to Andre Villas-Boas’ squad this month could well be Michael Essien’s return from the Cobham treatment table.
Waylaid by a succession of serious knee injuries in the last few years, it’s easy to forget just how potent a weapon a fully fit Essien is – but it is also worth remembering.Back in 2007 he was voted Chelsea’s player of the year after a campaign in which he shone across midfield and in defence. A regular Fifa Ballon d’Or nominee between 2005 and 2007, he was widely regarded as the finest combative midfielder in the world.
Even at 29, a tireless work rate, physical presence and exceptional versatility mark Essien out as a world-class talent. Provided he stays fit, the Ghanaian should prove far more valuable to Villas-Boas than any signing.
| MONEY TO SPEND IN JANUARY |
He may have been charged with the unenviable task of radically overhauling the Chelsea squad whilst keeping the team competitive on the pitch, but Villas-Boas can at least console himself with the knowledge he is not expected to do it on a shoestring.
Roman Abramovich has already indicated a willingness to back his new man in the transfer market. Juan Mata, Raul Meireles and Gary Cahill have been acquired for a combined outlay of over £40 million, and Luka Modric was vigorously pursued in the summer.
Marseille’s Spanish right-back Cesar Azpilicueta is widely rumoured to be a top January target, while Lille golden boy Eden Hazard has also been linked with a move which would state emphatically that Chelsea are serious about remaining a force at home and abroad.
The New Year is not likely to witness drastic personnel changes at Stamford Bridge, but the suggestion is the Blues will spend – and big – if the right opportunity presents itself.
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