Scolari - new Stamford Bridge boss
After short domination in the Premier League and hundred millions of pounds spent on purchasing the most wanted players on the planet, Chelsea and Roman Abramovich have gone two seasons without the title and they were left empty handed last year. During the season they sacked Mourinho, the man who brought them two titles, only for his heir Avram Grant to eventually pay for the weak results. Israeli managed to lead the team to the Champions league finals, but thanks to clumsy Terry he missed the opportunity, so controversial owner of the Stamford Bridge toy decided to end the friendship with Grant and bring Portugal national squad boss Scolari in his place. The defeat in the Champions League finals and the loss of the title with only two points behind Manchester United is not so bad result, but for the team that has received more investments than any other club, it is a failure. The question now is whether Scolari will succeed in getting the Russian billionaire's toy back to the top or he live the same destiny of the previous coaches.
Champions League - unfulfilled dream
We doubt that losing the title to Ferguson's United for the second year in a row has disappointed Abramovich so much as the defeat in Moscow did. On his soil in his capital, everything was ready for the big celebration of the big triumph of Russian capital, but the slippery pitch and Terry's clumsiness caused failure. Great trophies are meant for the great clubs, and Chelsea are still not one regardless of all the money invested. Scolari arrived and so did his Portuguese Deco and Bosingwa and his main task will be to get Chelsea to the Champions League title. Although the Premiership title is more important for the fans, the one who provides money dictates priorities and Roman wishes to lift the biggest European trophy. The question is if Scolari is the right man for the job. Although London media praise his experience, the fact is that Scolari has never lead a team in a serious league. He did win trophies in Brazil but back then Brazilian league was very strangely organized, just like the World Cup which he won with Brazil. On the other hand, he twice failed to win EURO with the best generation in history of Portugal. His team usually fell apart in the duels against the teams that were disciplined enough to wait for their chance. Premier League is full of such teams and managers so we expect Scolari to soon come into a situation where he will fear for his post.
In
Deco (Barcelona), Bosingwa (Porto)
Out
Ben Sahar (Portsmouth), Rajkovic (Twente), Sidwell (Aston Villa), Makalele (PSG), Ben Haim (Man City)
Attractive display or results?
Rare are teams who succeed in both. Barcelona and Manchester United managed to do that but even they can't always. Roman Abramovich obviously wants to achieve that with his club and bringing Scolari should be seen in the light of that notion. Mourinho left when he realized that he won't be able to set his tactics with the owner bringing players by his own choice, alone. Ballack and Lampard didn't fit in Mourinho's concept, Shevchenko was not the kind of player he needed. Scolari will have to fit Deco with these two so there are reasons for doubts that midfielders will need more space. On the other hand, defense will rely on Essien and young Obi who still hasn't proved his talent everyone talked about and accounted for the money paid to United. Another problem for Chelsea will be the age of players. Although experience is a good thing, the fact is that most of Chelsea key players are in their late thirties and two games a week could be too much for them. Chelsea will definitely play more attractive than during Mourinho or Grant era, but it is not sure if it will give results. They have the quality; the only thing left now is Scolari proving that he can bring results week after week. We doubt that.
Our tip: 1st: Man Utd, 2nd: Liverpool, 3rd: Chelsea
Odds 17.00
Bookmaker: Bet365
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