Luiz Felipe Scolari completes his journey from Brazil to the
Bridge this week.
Officially, he starts work on July 1 though, with the
appointment of a goalkeeping coach, the arrivals have already
begun. They won't end there. For the former Portugal manager, the
rewards are high, but so are the demands. Here are 10 issues for
Scolari to address, though at least one will take 11 months to
achieve:
Change formation
Avram Grant was unable to wean Chelsea away from Jose Mourinho's
4-3-3 system, a formidable defensive construct that was built with
Claude Makelele, Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba in mind. It
brought the best from all three, but it rarely delivered the
football Roman Abramovich imagined. With the futures of each of the
trio Mourinho favoured in doubt, this could present the ideal time
to reconfigure the team, based around Scolari's preferred
personnel. A change of tactics, whether to 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1, may
bring the different mindset Chelsea require.
Resolve the Ballack-Lampard situation
Reluctant as many are to acknowledge it, Frank Lampard is a
modern great at Chelsea, combining phenomenal fitness with a
remarkable goal return. Yet, despite his achievements, he appears
disconcerted by being paired with similar players. Michael Ballack,
meanwhile, has demonstrated in Euro 2008 that he is among the most
authoritative midfielders in Europe and capable of being just as
prolific. It is notable that both appear to display their finest
form when the other is absent and, when they do play, Ballack can
unselfishly adopt the more defensive role, but it negates some of
his strengths to keep the German so far from goal. Mourinho's
desire for a reunion with Lampard could allow Ballack the freedom
to run the midfield and free up a place for a creator alongside the
German and Michael Essien.
Deal with Drogba
Few inflict damage quite like Didier Drogba. As Chelsea can
testify after the Champions League final, however, Drogba can be
destructive, but is quite capable of self-destructing. The 30-goal
forward of the 2006-7 season was unrivalled as an attacking menace,
the brooding moaner last year exhausted Grant's patience. It is a
question of attitude, not ability. Scolari must make a rapid
decision if one of Mourinho's devotees will shape up, or whether he
should be shipped out. But if Drogba departs, radical surgery is
required to the attack
Sign a striker (or two)
Take away Drogba, who may leave anyway, and Chelsea's attack
compares unfavourably with those of Manchester United, Liverpool
and Arsenal. The self-pitying, ineffectual Nicolas Anelka
jeopardised his future at Stamford Bridge in the Champions League
final, just as the petulant Drogba did, while Andriy Shevchenko no
longer merits preferential treatment and Claudio Pizarro is best
forgotten. Amid talk of Samuel Eto'o, Dimitar Berbatov and David
Villa, there is a case for purchasing a partnership; Abramovich's
dream of a high-scoring side is unlikely to be realised by
Shevchenko and Pizarro.
Find a fantasy player (or two)
Since Damien Duff and Arjen Robben exited, only Joe Cole meets
that description. Of the wingers who - given the physicality of the
midfield - appeared the designated flair players, Shaun
Wright-Phillips has flattered to deceive, Salomon Kalou is more of
a striker and Florent Malouda has been utterly uninspired.
Chelsea's players have commanded enviable salaries, but lacked
the stardust sprinkled by Cristiano Ronaldo and Cesc Fabregas for
their rivals. It explains the apparent interest in Kaka, Robinho,
Lionel Messi, Andrei Arshavin, Franck Ribery and Deco because,
whether in a more central role or on the flanks, more invention is
required, and not just to satisfy the owner.
Keep Carvalho
John Terry has the 'Mr Chelsea' image, but he isn't the best
defender in blue. Ricardo Carvalho, quicker, smoother and capable
of covering for his more vocal colleague, is. As Alex, another
dominant defender who could benefit from an extra yard of pace, is
effectively Terry's understudy, Chelsea can cope without their
captain without too much disruption. Carvalho's absences are
altogether more problematic and his future is more uncertain. It is
no coincidence that Chelsea didn't lose with him in the side until
the Carling Cup final last season. Among the best defenders at Euro
2008, Carvalho's admiration for his former Portugal manager bodes
well for Scolari.
Dispense with the deadwood
Two seasons ago, Chelsea's squad was too small. Last year, it
was bloated by the presence of players who weren't quite good
enough. Resolving the futures of Steve Sidwell, Tal Ben Haim and
Pizarro is hardly the top priority, but the manager would be better
off with 22 players who all enjoy his confidence.
Quieten the competing factions
Chelsea is a unique club, and that is not meant as a compliment.
Together with Abramovich, Scolari is the most important figure, yet
his position is clouded by the presence of Peter Kenyon. And Bruce
Buck. And Eugene Tenenbaum. And Frank Arnesen. And Piet de Visser.
And Pini Zahivi. And a group of opinionated experienced players.
All jostle for position; all can undermine the manager.
Avram Grant often appeared at the mercy of the unaccountable
advisors, vast numbers of powerbrokers and the idiosyncratic owner.
None appear to accept blame for setbacks, but they presumably
dispense it in the direction of the manager. Scolari - somehow -
has to ensure as little is heard from them as possible, and that
one, single, strong voice emanates from Stamford Bridge.
Impress the neutrals
The brand of football Chelsea played for much of last season
earned results, brought criticism and helped forge a siege
mentality. No matter how often they insisted it was attractive, too
few agreed for Grant's liking. A surfeit of money and a shortage of
style meant that, for once, Manchester United attracted support
from neutrals in the title race and the Champions League final. For
the global ambitions of Abramovich and Kenyon to be satisfied,
Chelsea need to be a more entertaining product (and some, at least,
are thinking in such businesslike vocabulary). Adding to their
fanbase, particularly worldwide, requires fantasy football, not
hard-fought 1-0 wins.
It seems as simple as that.