End of a Chelsea era?

In June 2003 Roman Abramovich rocked English football buy purchasing Chelsea FC – as a hobby, rather than a business investment. Over the past eight years he has invested millions of pounds in players, coaches, administrational staff and facilities; including a swanky new training complex in Cobham. However, if you look at the current state of Chelsea, I think it’s fair to say that they’re not going to compete for the title this season – and, unless major strategic changes take place, will struggle to do so in the near future. 

It’s important to say that Chelsea have been England’s second most successful club (behind MUFC) since 2003 – they have won the Premier League three times, FA Cup three times and two League Cups. Star players have taken them to within one kick of the Champions League and, through the likes of Lampard, Terry, A Cole and J Cole; Chelsea provided the core of the England side for half a decade. Unfortunately for their fans it looks like this era is sharply coming to an end. 

In 2008, whilst playing a characteristic media wind-up, Sir Alex Ferguson suggested that Chelsea would struggle to compete in a season when they had so many ageing players. At the time, Chelsea’s oldest first team player was Michael Ballack (31) with Lampard, Drogba and Carvalho (all 30) shortly behind. Obviously Ballack and Carvalho have now moved on, but the fact remains that Chelsea now have Cole, Malouda, Terry (all 30), Ferreira, Anelka (both 32), Drogba and Lampard (both 33) all competing for places in the starting 11. 

I’m not saying it’s bad to have experienced players, it’s a necessity, but I do believe that these players represent a style of play and motivated dressing room that existed five years ago. The problem is that, collectively, they’re a bigger presence than every manager since Mourinho. 

Every (permanent) boss from Scolari to Grant and Ancelotti has known that they’ve needed to win the league in order to keep their job – that seems to be Roman’s minimum requirement. As a result they have needed to build a team, fit to win the league, within weeks/months of moving into the position. It’s understandable to see the gamble in clearing out the likes of Terry and Lampard in order to bleed through untested talent such as Jeffrey Bruma or Josh McEachran.