One Week From Now, A Feisty Derby Awaits...

One Week From Now, A Feisty Derby Awaits...

Chelsea's start to the 2012/13 season has excellent to say the least. The team has been playing well and have comfortably seen off all opposition in the Premier League so far. However, when the international break comes to an end and Premier League football resumes, Chelsea will travel to White Hart Lane to play Tottenham Hotspurs in a match that means so much more to the fans of both teams than just 3 points. This particular London derby has always been a feisty one for there is no love lost between the fans of both teams. The fact that Spurs haven't been Premier League contenders while Chelsea have always been title challengers for the past few years hasn't reduced the intensity of the rivalry one bit. However, expect the intensity of this rivalry to escalate to whole new levels this time around.

Are Tottenham more suited to AVB’s style than Chelsea were

Are Tottenham more suited to AVB’s style than Chelsea were

From  Dolce-Gabbana suits to track pants and polo shirts a lot has changed for Andre Villas Boas since he was sacked from Chelsea during the start of the year to the time he has joined London rivals Tottenham Hotspurs. But the question is has he changed as a manager? From being touted as the next Jose Mourinho after he went unbeaten at Porto to being laughed off at Chelsea, the job at Tottenham could be the make or break point for Villas Boas’s career.

When AVB joined Chelsea he had a bunch of players that did not suit his system tactically. Villas Boas and Roman both wanted free flowing, quick football. Something similar to what Pep Guardiola was doing at Barcelona in Spain. Pep certainly had the players who could quite easily do what he wanted out of them, but at Chelsea things were different. Chelsea were quite used to playing the old fashioned football what Mourinho had instated at that club during his tenure. The plan was simple clear heads while defending and long balls while attacking. Villas Boas tried to change all this a bit too early. He tried to put forward a system the players were not used to, certainly pleasing to watch but if the players can’t adjust then things can go a bit ugly an that’s what happened at Chelsea. The High Line in the defense and the quick passing was something the players were not used to.

Andre Villas Boas project still continues: Where AVB went wrong (Part 1)

Andre Villas Boas project still continues: Where AVB went wrong (Part 1)

The night after the loss, Andre Villas Boas left his BMW X4 in the parking lot and spent his night inside the club training ground trying to figure out new tactics and how he can set his team right, he wrestled with how to turn the club’s fortunes around and the next morning he was found sleeping in his Dolce-Gabbana suit at Cobham training ground.

Villas Boas knew he was running out of time and giving a 3 goal lead and being outplayed by David Moyes’s men did not help his cause. Although Roman was very fond of Villas Boas but the Feb 11 lost to Everton helped Roman make his mind up. Roman decided that he needed to end this bad spell and looked across his “friend circle” for some help. He tried to convince Hiddink for a temporary job but a permanent job at Anzhi was waiting for him. Roman also tried to lure in ex-Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez to change the club’s fortunes but that didn’t work out as well.

The Midfield Dilemma

The Midfield Dilemma

Many Chelsea fans think that the big selection problem for Roberto Di Matteo will be the attack. Where will he put Hazard? Will Ramires play? What about Torres? While believe selecting an attack will be a headache for Roberto, I think there is a bigger problem. I like to call it, The midfield dilemma. Our usual midfield was the pair of Frank Lampard and John Obi Mikel, who performed wonderfully during the latter part of our double winning season. However, with the arrival of Oscar, that usual midfield will probably be changed. I will be evaluating the possible line-up with their pros and cons.

AVB Opens Up

Finally: AVB Opens Up!

As most of you know by now. New Tottenham Spurs manager, Andre Villas Boas,  has opened up about his final exchange with Roman Abramovich. He also went on to 'stir up' Chelsea fans by trying to take credit for assembling the squad. First we'll look at some of the comments he made at his first official press conference as Spurs manager.

AVB to Spurs - What it means for Chelsea.

 AVB To SPURS: What it means for CFC

 

Along the expected lines, AVB, AndreVillas-Boas, has been appointed as the 'Head Coach' of Tottenham Hotspurs. It was officially announced via the Spurs twitter handle last night.

PICTURE EXCLUSIVE! Welcome to Spurs, Andre! twitter.com/SpursOfficial/…
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) July 3, 2012

Here is the official announcement on their website: link

There were mixed reactions to AVB's appointment, from Chelsea fans. Whilst some were wishing him all the best, others were wishing he would fail at Spurs.

Understandable from a fans' point of view, as the wounds have not still healed. If you are one of them, just remember this: Champions Of Europe. Feel better?

However, one heartening thing to see was that very few Chelsea fans had any personal grudge against AVB. Even the ones wishing for his failure, were wishing for a rival club's failure rather than it's manager's.

Personally, I feel the Chelsea fans should be given credit for that.

Now, let us see what AVB's appointment would mean to Chelsea.