Benitez Chelsea

When the appointment of Rafael Benitez was announced by Chelsea, many expected the Spaniard to tighten up the Chelsea defence, as he had done when he arrived at Liverpool.

In those years, Benitez had quite a consistent back line of defenders, with Jamie Carragher, Sami Hyypia, Steve Finnan and Djimi Traore playing most games in the early years, and with Daniel Agger, Jamie Carragher, Martin Skrtel, Alvaro Arbeloa and Fabio Aurelio being regulars towards the end of Benitez’s tenure.

But at Chelsea, it appears Benitez doesn’t know exactly who his best four defenders are.

At right back, Chelsea only really have two options, those options being natural right back Cesar Azpilicueta and versatile Branislav Ivanovic who prefers playing at the heart of the defence. Roberto Di Matteo seemed to prefer Ivanovic at right back, not much of a surprise considering how many though of Ivanovic as the Premier League’s best in that position towards the end of the 2009/10 season.

But since Benitez’s arrival, Cesar Azpilicueta has taken that place more regularly, putting in solid displays against Manchester City, Fulham, Leeds and in the 8-0 trouncing of Aston Villa. However, in recent games, the Spaniard has made a few foolish and ultimately costly errors.

Many people, including myself feel he was at fault for both Southampton goals in that 2-2 draw back in January at Stamford Bridge, and he has looked defensively frail on too many occasions for him to be considered reliable in my opinion. So, due to his power and ability to assist the centre halves, whoever they may be on the day, I feel Branislav Ivanovic is Chelsea’s best option at right back, although he would probably rather be at centre back himself.

Speaking of the centre back position, that area has also been a problem for Chelsea this season too, arguably their biggest problem aside from a feeling of discontent among many of the club’s fans towards manager Rafael Benitez.

Gary Cahill, who had an excellent first half a season in the blue shirt of Chelsea last year, hasn’t been as consistent this campaign. His last ditch tackles have been as impressive as ever, but the point is that he lets strikers in good positions far too often. Many have touted Cahill as a future Chelsea club captain, but I feel he needs to regain his focus if he wants to be at a level where he is one of Chelsea’s first names on the team sheet.

David Luiz, who many have written off as being too rash and too eager to impress, has mellowed this season apparently. Although he still does love to run forward with the ball, he is much less wasteful and indecisive when on the ball. Those defensive positioning problems still do exist for the Brazilian, but they are slowly but surely coming out of his game.

John Terry, the Chelsea club captain of the past nine years, is also being written off by many. More and more injuries, less and less clean sheets and more lapses in concentration mean Terry is no longer a guaranteed starter for Chelsea, despite still being captain and a hero to many of the club’s fans.

Some have claimed Terry is off the pace and he certainly does not have the energy levels he once had. In saying this, as a Chelsea fan, I do feel a lot less concerned when opposition sides go forward when John Terry is at the heart of the defence.

When deciding on which centre backs to play in the ideal Chelsea starting eleven, I think it is important to consider which combinations work. In my opinion, Chelsea’s best collective defensive performance of the entire 2011/12 season was at home to the mighty FC Barcelona in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final, which Chelsea famously went on to win, both legs, the tie and eventually the competition.

Despite countless offensive onslaughts by Barcelona’s star studded attacking players, the central defensive partnership of Gary Cahill and John Terry held strong and saw them through to a 1-0 win which went a long way to securing European success for the Blues.

Based on this immense performance, Cahill and Terry have the potential to be a superb defensive partnership on their day and so I think they should be given a run in the side together.

To make up the defensive line of course I would have Ashley Cole, who is still the best left back in the world in my opinion, and a Chelsea legend.

His contract extension means he is ideal for Chelsea and can help to improve Ryan Bertrand, and any other young left backs at the club.

Written by Joshua Sodergren

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Adam’s Premier League Column: Week 14 – West Ham breeze past Rafa’s Chelsea

By O-Posts Team | December 3, 2012 - 22:44 | Adam's Premier League Column, Chelsea, Premier League

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It’s been a brilliant weekend of football yet again, with plenty of goals and drama for us all to get excited about. QPR are slowly improving with the appointment of Harry Redknapp, who took charge after Mark Hughes was inadvertently shown the door. Clint Dempsey and Moussa Dembélé enjoyed a successful return to Craven Cottage, as Spurs recorded a comfortable 3-0 win over Fulham.

Stoke also won at West Brom, and were only the second team to win at the Hawthorns this season, the other being Manchester City. The Citizens themselves earned a respectable draw against their bogey team Everton, but Mancini will have wanted to take home all three points.

Onto my three top games of the weekend fixtures, and it was a hard job to choose!

West Ham United 3 Chelsea 1

Rafa Benitez’s reign as the Chelsea interim boss hasn’t started too great really, has it? First there was the fan’s revolt, unhappy about the squad rotation, and now losing against West Ham. Take nothing away from the Hammers though as they fought to the bitter end.

However, Chelsea were dominant throughout the first half, and they were rewarded with their efforts. Fernando Torres pulled the ball back for fellow Spaniard Juan Mata who fired past Irons ‘keeper Jussi Jääskeläinen to give Chelsea a deserved lead.

So half time approached, and the game was completely changed by Big Sam’s substitutions at the interval. Mohammed Diame and Matt Taylor replaced James Tomkins and Gary O’Neil. The Hammers looked to have something else about them, and showed glimpses of what they have done in previous Premier League games. Their resilience and physical presence has been truly impressive and at times, a pleasure to watch.

It took until the 63rd minute for West Ham to break the defence, and Carlton Cole headed against his former employers to make the scoring level. Cole then became provider as he set up Diame who smashed his shot from deep inside the penalty box which provoked the travelling Chelsea fans to sing “There’s only one Di Matteo”, but it was only greeted by the Hammers belting out “Your’re getting sacked in the morning”. You’ve got to love the banter!

Modibo Maïga then made sure there was no way back for Chelsea, and he scored moments after coming on from the bench to secure the Hammers’ first victory against Chelsea in the Abramovich era.

A great result for West Ham, and how long will Benitez last?

Reading 3 Manchester United 4

This seven goal thriller was epic. Manchester United are now infamous for conceding early goals, and that came true again in this match. Robson-Kanu fired the home side into the lead on eight minutes, but unfortunately for them, it didn’t last too long.

A neat one-two with Ashley Young resulted in Anderson’s shot beating Adam Federici at his near post to level the scoring before Wayne Rooney, who was criticised earlier this week for not scoring enough, converted a penalty which was needlessly given away. Reading did well to get in front, but they didn’t do the basics in defending to keep United at bay. They simply gave away too many chances.

Despite the mediocre defending, Reading levelled, this time through Le Fondre’s headed goal, and that set them on their way. Reading miraculously went 3-2 up after Morrison scored, and that made the fans at the Majeski Stadium dream of a famous win.

Seven minutes later, Rooney scored his fourth league goal to yet again level the score. Reading couldn’t pull anything else out of the locker though and as a result found themselves 4-3 down thanks to Robin van Persie’s 34th minute winner.

Reading were incredibly unlucky here, and Man Utd were a tad fortunate, really.

Arsenal 0 Swansea 2

Arsenal fans seem to be losing patience with veteran manager Arsène Wenger after their recent league form. They seem to be missing that little spark that can win matches, and RVP has really been the missing piece.

Swansea however, have been very impressive this season under Michael Laudrup, especially after the signing of Michu, who scored a brace against the Gunners. The Swans had to wait until the 88th minute to score though, but it was well worth the wait.

Michu’s side footed effort was a joy to behold, and that sums up the sort of player he is. Reliable. Michu then doubled the Swans’ lead after Nathan Dyer pounced on a loose ball after some poor defending by Gunners full back Jenkinson before playing a well weighted through ball into the path of Michu, who then placed his shot past Szczesny.

Results in full

Norwich 2 – 1 Sunderland
West Ham 3 – 1 Chelsea
Arsenal 0 – 2 Swansea
Fulham 0 – 3 Tottenham
Liverpool 1 – 0 Southampton
Man City 1 – 1 Everton
QPR 1 – 1 Aston Villa
West Brom 0 – 1 Stoke
Reading 3-4 Man Utd
Newcastle 3-0 Wigan

My Team of the Week

Written by Adam May

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Benitez’s Reception: Why Chelsea fans were wrong to boo the new man in charge

By O-Posts Team | November 25, 2012 - 20:42 | Chelsea, Opinion

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Going into the Chelsea v Manchester City game this Sunday, I expected to hear a few of the 40,000 odd Chelsea fans booing new manager Rafael Benitez. After all, the appointment was very controversial; the way in which previous manager Roberto Di Matteo was sacked, Benitez’s past comments about Chelsea, the lead up to the game.

However, I wasn’t prepared to hear the fierce chorus of boos that greeted the Spaniard. I have attended many Chelsea games over the years, and I can honestly say I haven’t heard booing anywhere near as harsh and intense towards any individual than what greeted Rafael Benitez on Sunday. I felt for him.

Personally, I didn’t boo, and the idea never came to my mind. I felt the decision to sack Di Matteo was unnecessary and harsh. However, booing the new man Rafael Benitez, what on earth is that going to achieve? To those Chelsea fans who booed, I ask you what did you think the booing would achieve? Rafael Benitez is here to stay. So get behind him.

Although I think the booing was disgraceful, I think the minute’s applause for Roberto Di Matteo was classy and respectful. But any class that that showed was totally washed away by the abuse Benitez received. Plus, a lot of these fans will claim to “love” Chelsea, so support the team not the individual manager.

I am not saying that you should cheer Benitez and forget Di Matteo but show you want him to succeed. Why shouldn’t Benitez think to himself now; what’s the point? He must feel so frustrated and saddened at the reception he received.

I think the worst part of the booing is the fact that the players were out there and they witnessed it. I don’t know about you, but if I was a player I would feel very nervous about the game ahead. There’s no way anything could have been accomplished in such a state.

To conclude, I’m shocked at the way Benitez has been treated, he didn’t deserve it. I hope that this way just a knee jerk reaction to the decision and that Benitez will start to be treated in a more necessary, relevant way.

Written by Joshua Sodergren

Follow him on Twitter @chelsealad1365

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