Time has come for Chelsea FC

 Image Courtesy: www.skysports.com

The crowning of Chelsea FC as the European Football champions is the biggest milestone in my career as a football fanatic. From written-off underdogs to the cup glory, Chelsea has transformed the history of football. The days of infalliable supremacies are over. With perseverance and might, any team can challenge the favourites - this would be the lines to be highlighted in the newest chapter in the theory of football.

Roman Abramovich had lost count of the number of coaches he had changed at Chelsea by the time he appointed Andres Villas Boas. And there were very few left to get as a replacement. The Europa League triumph of Porto was very well noticed and Abramovich hoped the man he was looking for had to hail from Porto. And so he roped in the youngest coach he had in his options, and presented the team and the field to him with paramount expectation. Villas Boas came to know that Chelsea under Abramovich was one of the toughest teams to coach. A player goes out of form and the next thing the blue world saw was a new expensive player signed in. The out-of-form player slowly disappears from the first eleven to the subs, then to the reserves, and then nobody hears about him for a season or more except when another club decides to help him out – this was and is the state of affairs in the Cobham camp.

Villas Boas tried to change the Chelsea style. The fresh blood injected was put to use very well, but over a period of time, the strategies wore out. Old guards were under-utilized, Drogba got more time to attend to his hair and style than on practice. Even Lampard sometimes found hard to make it to the first eleven. Fernando Torres never stood up to the err.. ahem.. 50 million pounds deal he came in on. Victories became scarce and lackluster, and Chelsea and Liverpool promisingly competed to become the best ‘big four’ drop-out. By the time winter rolled out off the scene, Chelsea was written off the league contenders list. The familiar sack was ready for use anytime, and was used as a late answer to the only question – when?. Boas left in silence, bewildering a climactic finish his fans foresaw. 

 Image Courtesy: www.telegraph.co.uk

Now comes the ghost. Roberto Di Matteo, a former Chelsea man, the then assistant to Andres Villas Boas, was made the caretaker manager of Chelsea FC. He has an angelic appearance, which well suits his role of a saviour, though it contradicts the rough image of the Blues. But he has made miracles come true so effortlessly that sometimes it feels his exaltation at the time of goals scored or matches won is the only thing that proves he is human. Otherwise, he is in his usual calm with a subtle smile. I say only ghosts can be like this.  

He was handed over the keys to the Stamford Bridge  when a maximum of 20-odd games were left in the season. He would have a lesser number if he left the team to go it's way - the 1-3 away loss at Napoli indicated Chelsea's exit from the CL in the round of 16. But Di Matteo was not ready to go the easy way. A former Chelsea player, who used to be in furious form on the pitch before he had to retire due to serious injury problems, he took Chelsea for a frollicking ride - one that saw them beating all their odds. Di Matteo brought back the old gang of Drogba and Lampard back to form, and Torres showed promising signs towards the end of the season. 

Beating Napoli, Benfica, BARCELONA and BAYERN MUNICH was a result of the master plans laid by the manager of the season, Roberto Di Matteo. Benfica was a strong team, but they had to give up to the mighty Blues. Even Barcelona could not help seeing themselves out of the CL. Though criticized for the defensive tactics used against the Catalans, Chelsea could not have produced an attacking side overnight that would match Barca in all aspects. Instead, Chelsea made use of what they have - endurance. And there were master finishers we saw in Drogba, Ramires and Lampard, who did the best of the chances they got. Petr Cech was brilliant - he is back to his best again. 

Chelsea won against Barcelona, but their victory never elevated them from the underdog status - for they had to play the final against Bayern Munich withput four of their best players. Chelsea held high its fighting commitment to the game, especially big games, and they won the trophy, startling all their critics. Di Matteo touch was very evident throughout the game. Picking Ryan Bertrand was a gamble which gave good returns - Philip Lahm was kept at bay very well, and at times Ashley Cole got good support from Bertrand as a seondary left-back. Gary Cahill and David Luiz defended splendidly in their comeback match, and Ashley Cole once again proved he is the best left-back that the game could offer. Drogba was a beast in the game, hope he stays on in the club. Cech showed astonishing nerves when all thought Neuer was the better of these two goalkeeping legends. 

 Image Courtesy: www.championsleague.ca

Chelsea has signed out of the season in style, back-heeling Spurs out of next CL, and it's now all upto Abramovich to decide whether to take back the keys from di Matteo or not. Looking forward for the next Blue season.

Image Courtesy: www.chelseafc.com

"Blue is the colour, football is the game
We're all together and winning is our aim
So cheer us on through the sun and rain
Cos Chelsea, Chelsea is our name."