Roman’s soldiers march on

I didn’t agree with the sacking of Villas Boas and, believe it or not, still don’t. However, there’s no denying the impact made by Roberto Di Matteo since he took the temporary role as manager of Chelsea Football Club.

This caretaker has not swept through the door and enforced radical change, preferring to tinker with a methodology introduced by his Portuguese predecessor, himself recruited as a result of his European triumph.  

His reign, while short, has transformed results, producing a remarkable 11 wins from 16 matches, with only one defeat – all without the benefit of a transfer window with which to remould the squad.

The short reins handed to any manager by the Chelsea owner, Roman Abramovich, were again demonstrated earlier this week with the announcement that Chelsea had signed playmaker Marko Marin from Werder Bremen.  

With no permanent appointment in sight, I’ve said from the start that Di Matteo’s best chance to stay is to get Abramovich’s most expensive toy (aside from his yachts and aircraft), Fernando Torres, proving his worth.  

The Champions League semi-final appears to have been the catalyst. While it was far from being the most spectacular goal of his career, rounding Victor Valdes in the Barcelona goalmouth, it is one that has perhaps drawn the most headlines, securing a draw for Chelsea and passage into the European Championship final.

Torres, perhaps with redemption leading to restored confidence, or vice versa in a chicken and egg conundrum, secured his first hat-trick for Chelsea on Sunday as they proved they would not suffer a European hangover by thumping QPR 6-1. Sturridge’s emphatic opener after only 45 seconds proved Matteo’s fast starts are rubbing off on the team.

Chelsea will now be the busiest team in Europe between now and the end of the season. In addition to playing Bayern Munich in the Champions League final in May (Bayern becoming the first side since Roma in 1984 to appear at home in a European final), Chelsea will also meet Liverpool in the FA Cup final (who in a bizarre ‘spine-line competition’ twist defeated Roma that day).

Their preparation for these two prestigious games will be the end of a League campaign in which they will be fighting to secure fourth spot in order to guarantee entry to the Champions League the following season. Even their youth team has made it to the Cup final.

Yet, the one coveted the most by their owner is the right to call themselves European top-dog and secure entry into the World Club competition. It was his failure to land this trophy while at Chelsea that led to the dismissal of the man many consider to be the best manager, the self-proclaimed Special One, Jose Mourinho, also vanquished at the semi-final stage this week with Real Madrid.

Bayern, playing at home, will be formidable opponents – boasting pace and width through Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery with energy and guile in the middle of the park through Schweinsteiger and Muller.

Despite their dominant home form, Chelsea can take heart from the vulnerability shown by Bayern in their domestic competition this season, missing out to Borussia Dortmund. Their commitment to attack was also exposed by Real Madrid twice in the opening 20 minutes.

Chelsea have problems as they will be missing a plethora of players through injury and suspension. In addition, the volume of high-intensity matches between now and then should leave their energy reserves severely depleted. However, it is their burgeoning fixture list that, I believe, offers them the greatest hope.

Firstly, they will be used to playing at pace under pressure and will be used to the nerves. Secondly, it provides the opportunity to ensure Torres is back to his goal-scoring best. A strike force boasting an in-form Drogba and Torres is a match for any team. If Di Matteo can work his magic on Florent Malouda then his task will be complete – well almost!

However, the great irony in the debate as to Di Matteo’s long-term position at the helm of the Chelsea luxury cruise liner, is that the man tipped to replace him is the man he beat on Wednesday night, Pep Guardiola.

As one scours the list of available high-profile managers, there are few that I believe would genuinely benefit Chelsea … and Guardiola is on that list.

Guardiola’s attention to detail and passion are world renowned.  His willingness to stamp his mark by excluding high-profile yet divisive figures in the dressing room, such as Ronaldinho and Deco, and later Samuel Eto’o, ensured those left were willing to buy into his Musketeer ‘all for one, and one for all’ attitude.  

If the rumours of his journey to Stamford Bridge are to be believed, I will be intrigued to see whether he is allowed to undertake a similar transition on an established old-guard that has allegedly accounted for a number of Abramovich’s recent managerial appointments.

Furthermore, the technical approach adopted by Barca is one that has been honed for years on the training ground, particularly in the famed youth academy at La Maisa that Guardiola joined aged 13.  There is an argument that Guardiola only knows how to play one way – can he get Chelsea to play the same all high-press and free-flowing passing game? Based purely on statistics, the closest team in Europe to Barcelona is, bizarrely, Swansea!

Yet, despite his success, aside from seasonal blips and occasional one-off defeats, there is one blip on Guardiola’s record.  

Aged 37 he became the youngest manager to win the Champion’s League. He has won a remarkable 76 per cent of all matches at Barcelona, amassing 363 points in 148 league games. Importantly, for local bragging rights, he has won nine El Clasicos against Real Madrid.  

This season his side has already scored more than 170 goals. Yet, in all competitions in his four seasons in charge there is only one side Barcelona has failed to beat – Chelsea!  

Which just goes to prove the adage – if you can’t beat them, join ’em!