Alrick

Does Rafa Deserve Credit for Chelsea’s “Success”?

Recently, I have heard some Chelsea fans say that interim manager Rafa Benitez deserves credit for inspiring comebacks against Manchester United and Steaua Bucharest. It’s obvious he isn’t liked by the majority of Chelsea fans, but is this new found credit he’s receiving from some Chelsea fans merited? Let’s take a look at his “success” as a Chelsea manager which is apparently earning him some credit…

  • Rafa’s “success” has him as the second worst Chelsea manager since the 90’s – With a winning percentage of 51.6%, Rafa has the second worst winning percentage of any Chelsea manager since 1998. Only AVB with a 47.5% winning percentage is worse. I could be wrong, but last time I checked success was measured by wins and losses, not by beating up on a weak team like Aston Villa by eight goals.
  • Rafa’s limited “success” isn’t coming against equal or better opposition – He has failed to win all 3 matches against opposition from Manchester and hasn’t played Spurs yet, meaning Rafa has ZERO wins against teams with more points against Chelsea in the Premier League table. He’ll have another chance against Man United on April 1st.
  • Rafa’s “squad rotation” puts Chelsea in poor situations – As an example, Rafa’s decision to start Yossi Benayoun in a difficult environment such as Stadionul Steaua (Romania) over Juan Mata was puzzling to say the least. It would have made much more sense to start a key player like Mata away from home and hope for a result so he can be rested for the second leg. His substitutions have continued to defy spectator logic all season and although the Chelsea fixture list is exhaustive, he continues to bench important players and leave substitutions until very late in the game (or not at all).
  • Rafa’s unwillingness to change tactics makes Chelsea predictable – His stubborn nature related to his 4-2-3-1 tactics have made Chelsea predictable – with so many fixtures there is A LOT of footage for teams to watch and develop strategies on how to exploit the weaknesses of Rafa’s tactics. The Capital One Cup matches against Swansea immediately come to mind, where they forced Chelsea into sloppy possession play and created chances on the counter attack.
  • Rafa’s “success” has Chelsea with ZERO trophies and favored to win ZERO trophies – Despite having the opportunity to win more trophies in a single season than in any other season in club history, the Chelsea trophy cabinet for the 2012-2013 season currently sits empty. Outside of the Champions League and Community Shield, Rafa has failed to win the Club World Championship and Capital One Cup during his time with Chelsea. He has taken a team with title aspirations in the Premier League and lost so many points that the club may not even qualify for the Champions League next season. Finally, Chelsea will have to overcome the odds to win their two remaining trophies, the FA Cup and the Europa League (Spurs are now favored to win the Europa League according to some books after today’s draw). 0 for 7? It’s very realistic…

In short, I fail to understand how or why Rafa deserves credit for the “success” of Chelsea because of the expectations of the club. Chelsea, with world class talent (and the wages which come with it), are expected to win against modern cup minnows such as Brentford, Steaua, and Sparta – yet these opponents have pushed Chelsea into uncomfortable waters due to a manager who has continued to make poor squad decisions and refuses to change a “strategy” which has him as one of the worst Chelsea managers in the modern era. Has Chelsea really reached the point where after winning the Champions League last season we are praising one of the worst mangers the club has had in a decade and a half for narrowly defeating European minnows? Apparently so…

Alrick

United and City crash again

On December 7th 2011 Manchester City and Manchester United crashed out of the Champions League. Exactly 100 days after both crashed out of the Europe League too.

Alrick

United – Chelsea stats recap

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A tough draw for Chelsea after having a 3-0 lead, here are some of the key stats from the United – Chelsea match…

Chelsea today against United: 20 shots (8 on target), 80% (274/344) passing, 8 crosses (22 attempted), 7 tackles, 27 interceptions.

It’s interesting to note the defensive styles: United had 21 tackles to Chelsea’s 7, but Chelsea had 28 interceptions to United’s 13. This was likely due to the fact that Chelsea did not have their two top tacklers (Ramires and Romeu) and had traditionally good anticipators of the game in Cahill, Ivanovic and Meireles on the pitch…

Cahill in his Chelsea debut against United: 1 shot, 82% (18/22) passing, 4 interceptions, 1 block, 2 clearances.

Meireles today against United: 3 shots, 89% (47/53) passing, 1 chance created, 2 crosses, 6 interceptions.

Ivanovic today against United: 82% (23/28) passing, 1 chance created, 1 tackle, 5 interceptions, 4 clearances, 4 fouls committed.

Some more player stats…

Torres today against United: 2 shots (both off target), 86% (18/21) passing, 1 assist, 3 chances created.

Mata today against United: 1 goal, 3 shots, 86% (38/44) passing, 3 chances created, 2 crosses, 2 interceptions.

David Luiz today against United: 1 goal, 67% (18/27) passing, 1 tackle, 1 interception, 5 clearances (4 headed).

Malouda today against Chelsea: 3 shots (0 on goal), 78% (28/36) passing, 4 chances created. A case where stats don’t tell it all.

Despite being critical of Torres recently I will say he played better against United and is still one of the better forwards in the game at creating chances for others. Mata and Luiz both had great goals and with Malouda it’s a case where stats don’t tell the whole story as the Chelsea attack slowed to a halt whenever he touched the ball.

Finally I will leave you with this tidbit about Howard Webb as the streak continues…

Chelsea are now winless in 7 matches Howard Webb has officiated against Manchester Clubs (0 wins, 3 draws, 4 losses).

The next Chelsea match will be on February 11th as they travel to Everton.

Alrick

5 must know facts for the United – Chelsea match

United Chelsea logos

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United Chelsea logos

The United – Chelsea match is on Sunday and thanks to both powerhouses having off seasons (and off the field issues) it’s become one of the most anticipated fixtures of the season as it could decide the fate of both teams. Here are 5 must know facts about the match you can use while watching with friends and family!

1. Chelsea are unbeaten in their last 9 Premier League home games against Manchester United, winning 6 and drawing 3.

This should give Chelsea fans confidence knowing that a result at home against United is not only possible but but based on previous history quite likely. United did win their last match at Stamford Bridge though with a 1-0 victory in the Champions League quarterfinal on April 6th 2011.

2. Chelsea have kept a clean sheet in only 25% (5 out of 20) of the matches Jose Bosingwa has played in.

This is far lower than the clean sheet percentage for Chelsea throughout the entire season (32% – 11 out of 34 matches) and supports the notion he is a defensive liability. With Bosingwa set to possibly feature at left back in place of Ashley Cole he could be in for a long day against an in-form Antonio Valencia (3 goals and 9 assist in his last 11 matches).

3. Chelsea have failed to score a goal in live action in 347 minutes.

The last goal was from Frank Lampard against Sunderland, who is questionable to feature in the match. Chelsea have scored 2 goals during this timespan, but one was a penalty and the other deemed an own goal. Especially if Bosingwa plays, Chelsea will need to find the back of the net somehow.

4. Manchester United have been knocked out of the Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup by the end of January for the first time in their history.

This certainly has been a strange season for Manchester United in that the Europa League will be their only other competition as the end of the season approaches. This means in previous years when squad rotation and depth was critical for United to succeed both on a domestic and continental level now they can field their best players for the majority of the Premier League season.

5. Chelsea’s record against Manchester clubs when Howard Webb is the official: 0 wins, 2 draws, 4 losses.

Yes, Howard Webb will be the official of the match on Sunday and his Manchester bias is quite clear. The fact Chelsea with all their success in the past have not won a single match against a Manchester side when Webb is the official is very surprising and certainly will worry Chelsea fans regarding the way he calls the game.

I’m obviously hoping for a Chelsea win but given the form of the two clubs and players available United has the upper hand on paper. With this said, the match is at Stamford Bridge and although it’s not the fortress it once was you know the home fans will be fired up for this match.

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Alrick

Webb favors Manchester clubs?

Chelsea’s record against Manchester clubs when Howard Webb is the official: 0 wins, 2 draws, 4 losses.