Time is money. Especially at Chelsea.Nobody doubts the huge amount of investment that Roman Abramovich has poured into Chelsea Football Club since 2003, and I dont suppose that many people disagree, despite his Forbes status asWorlds 53rd wealthiest inhabitant, that in accordance with published financial lo ses and the 50 million acquisition of Fernando Torres, that recently his fingers have felt slightly burnt. Indeed, Mr. Abramovich is well known for his patience, or rather, lack
Pat O'Donnell Jersey of it nowadays. 7 managers in 7 years (8 if you count Ray Wilkins), alas none have lived up to the masters expectations. So why is Andre Villas-Boas still in a job? Statistically, in terms of win ratio, AVB is on a lower par than Ancelotti, Hiddink, Grant, and Mourinho (not forgetting Wilkins superbly untarnished 100% record, 1 win in 1). It doesnt stop there however. During the 2008 / 09 season Chelsea boasted an impre sive clean sheet ratio of 58%, for 2010 / 11 39%, yet this season the
NFL Chicago Bears Jersey percentage has plummeted to 20%. Indeed Chelsea have suffered some relatively poignant defeats already this season, most reasonably 1v3 against Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge. Roman Abramovich is not known to hold back, and demands succe s, so why isnt AVB gone already?Lying in a sombre looking 4th in the Premiership, 11 points behind Manchester City, AVB finds himself in a reasonably similar situation to the one Sir Alex Ferguson found himself in for the first 4 years of his Manchester United tenure. Many people forget that AF didnt deliver immediate succe s to Old Trafford, indeed, even after big money signings such as Steve Bruce, Viv Anderson and Brian McClair, it still took the Dark Lord of football 5 years (and plenty of calls for his resignation) to grind out his first league title with the Red Devils. Based on this precedent, AVB should have some time at least to forge his mark and turn Chelseas fortunes around.In fact, AVB has given out many positive signals, and heralds some noteworthy achievements in Portugal and at Stamford Bridge already. For this reason, his services
Show All Chicago Bears Jersey should be retained for another 3 seasons at the very least. Chelseas goal per game ratio is at its highest for a significant number of years, 1.95% to be exact. This, though admittedly taking its toll on the teams conceded per game ratio, shows AVBs positive intent for the club. Chelseas style of play has been much more attractive and exciting (despite Mourinhos consistency), and over time, with the acquisition of newer players and development of the youth squad, their consistency may balance out and title credentials will appear once again. AVB has done well to be brave enough to introduce younger members to the first squad, such as Daniel Sturridge (vindicating his selection by his
Dick Butkus Jersey 11 goals), whilst simultaneously sacrificing some of the more established egos, hence indicating his vision for the future. By making it known to Frank Lampard that he is no longer an automatic selection, AVB has encouraged the likes of Mata, Ramires and Romeu to cement their places in the squad, whilst Lampard has strove to maintain his starting place. This has produced some refreshing internal competition. In times of trouble, AVB has stood his ground, he has acted Ferguson-esque and given a piece of his mind to the media. All of these things are without doubt, very positive signs.
Villa-Boas is indeed still very young, therefore he has the ability to boast potential for longetivity and growing maturity. He has already enjoyed relative succe s at Academica in his native Portugal, and has 4separate pieces of silverware in his cabinet from his comparatively short tenure in charge at Porto. Porto went unbeaten last season, if you didnt know. AVB has shown that he is not only an extremely talented individual, enthusiastic about Chelseas direction, but refreshingly, up for the fight. Abramovich needs to give Villa-Boas time, a lot more time
Devin Hester Jersey than his predece sors. Chelsea are still in the Champions League, are they not? If Villa-Boas is permitted time and flexibility, we could be seeing the development of something ma sive in West London.
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