The Chelsea revolution continues. But firstly, lets address the elephant in the room: The curious case of John Terry. In my opinion, the man has quite clearly let himself, the footballing nation, his club and his family down. After the Wayne Bridge affair and the stripping of the England captaincy, Terry should have just kept his head down rather than opening his poisonous gob and starting World War Three in the Premier league.
What I will say is this; Chelsea will never, ever, be a club that will be loved - like Barcelona, or Manchester United or Liverpool. Everyone has an opinion on the clubs and sometimes it is negative, but no one utterly demolishes them in the national press like they do Chelsea. Admittedly as a football club Chelsea bring this on themselves, but a line needs to be drawn underneath it and concentrate on the football we are playing and the excellent professionals the majority of our players are, as is Di Matteo.
Juan Mata, Eden Hazard and Oscar and the most exciting trio to have ever graced a blue shirt. Previously Chelsea was all about; power and strength and tactical discipline. Now that has changed, we are unpredictable, flexible and skillful. Not since the days of Vialli, Guillt, Zola and Poyet have Chelsea kept possession and played football with such panache. It is interesting that Di Matteo was playing in that brilliant late 90’s team, where Chelsea were labelled with playing “sexy football”. And on yesterday afternoon’s performance, perhaps “sexy football” is making a comeback.
Pre-kick off, Jamie Redknapp on Sky Sports questioned as to wether Chelsea could still have the substance that the style had displaced and after a tremendous early Gary Cahill volley, the first 12 minutes of the second half Tottenham tore Chelsea apart. They were first to every second ball, and whereas in the first half Mikel was dictating the tempo of the game, he was entirely unable to do this. Andre Villas Boas - a tactically sound manager- pushed Dempsey and Sigurdsson narrow and unto the ‘holding’ duo of Mikel and Ramires stopping them playing out from the back. Tottenham completed the turn-around with Jermaine Defoe’s 200th league goal.
Chelsea then turned on the style,within 3 minutes Mata had scored two goals and Chelsea were suddenly on top and in control. The teamwork and the flair on show, not to mention the exquisite passing was something that Chelsea fans really are not used to, but are undoubtedly enjoying - chanting “Andre, Andre what’s the score”. Villas Boas - must crave the attacking trio that Chelsea have at their disposal - not to mention; Lampard, Marin, Moses and Sturridge - all of whom were injured or on the bench. The backbone of the Champions league winning steel is there, winning ugly and shutting up shop - Cech, Cole, Terry, Mikel, Lampard. But the ever impressive Di Matteo, has added some nifty paintwork to the Chelsea tank. Its a lot easier on the eye, and Chelsea might finally get some of the plaudits they deserve.
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