Seven Reasons Why Benitez's Tenure At Chelsea Has Not Been A Succe

[balli hi]

Seven reasons Rafael Benitez’s tenure at Chelsea has not been a success

Monday 13 May 2013 4:05 pm

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Rafael Benitez has struggled to win over the Chelsea fans (Picture: Reuters)

Heading into the week Chelsea compete in the Europa League final, the Blues also confirmed their Champions League place for next season – barring a cataclysmic defeat to Everton and Gareth Bale doubling his goal tally for the season against Sunderland.

But despite reaching two semi-finals, two finals and cementing a top four finish, Rafael Benitez’s temporary reign at Stamford Bridge can’t come soon enough for some Blues fans. Here are a few reasons why they’ll be glad to see the back of ‘The Interim One’.

He isolated the fans

Rafael Benitez’s appointment was never going to be popular at Stamford Bridge. There was simply too much history between himself and the Blues. However, having said that there are numerous examples of managers and players switching between rival clubs and winning the fans over. Not in this instance. Chelsea fans’ reasons for disliking Benitez may seem irrational to some, but many would have accepted his previous comments about the club and that they were made while manager of another side, had he simply either explained or apologised. He did neither – fact.

He again had the opportunity to help his cause among the Blues faithful by backing Branislav Ivanovic in the Luis Suarez biting scandal. Instead, he refused to answer reporters’ questions, prompting many Chelsea fans to wonder whether he was simply too unwilling to say anything negative towards Liverpool, rather than supporting his own players.

Simply put, he has not helped his own cause.

Chelsea have looked defensively suspect on numerous occasions this season (Picture: EPA)

Defensive shambles

At times this season, it has been painful to watch Chelsea’s defence attempt to carry out their jobs. Too many times when the Blues have been in front, the back line has dropped deeper and deeper, inviting wave upon wave of attacks – often resulting in lost points. Whether this has been because they have lacked a leader in the regular absence of captain John Terry or whether the personnel Benitez has been selecting have not been up to the task is up for debate. But they have certainly not been the solid back-line of recent years and it has cost them time and again.

Poor treatment of club heroes

No player can go on forever. Even Ryan Giggs will eventually have to call it a day. But when players, whatever their age, still have a lot to offer and improve the team, fans expect them to be selected. There’s no doubt Frank Lampard and John Terry can’t play every game like they used to. But for Benitez to suggest this is part of a ‘rotation policy’ is pure nonsense. Both players, Terry in particular, have been left out of key games and only played as a token gesture in lesser fixtures. Were they the key players Benitez likes to make out, surely the reverse would be true.

There’s no doubting without Terry Chelsea lack leadership and without Lampard they lack the cutting edge in attack. It is not simply Blues fans clinging on to the past, these two are still key players, whether Benitez likes it or not. And to offer Lampard the occasional five minute cameo and Terry the odd FA Cup tie against Brentford simply isn’t treatment befitting players who have been such stalwarts throughout years of success at Stamford Bridge.

John Terry and Frank Lampard have been shunned for the big games (Picture: Reuters)

Tactical genius?

There have been many occasions this term where Benitez’s team selections and substitutions have left 42,000 people inside Stamford Bridge completely baffled. Last Wednesday against Tottenham was one of the most pertinent examples. Chelsea had been fantastic for 60 minutes, closing down in numbers and not allowing their opponents any time to settle. But 60-odd games into the season and even the fittest players can only keep up that sort of pace for so long. And as the game approached Benitez’s ‘golden window’ for substitutions, off came two of the most effective players and those still most full of energy in Oscar and Eden Hazard – the latter allegedly carrying a knock – while David Luiz and Ramires remained on the pitch, almost on their knees. The centre-midfield duo were all but begging to be taken off, yet they remained, with Benitez waving them up and down the pitch. Gylffi Sigurdsson duly equalised in the 80th-minute, with everyone inside the ground able to see the problem, except the ‘tactical genius’.

Colin Murray: Chelsea faithful are entitled to hate Rafael Benitez

Single-mindedness

As a follow-on from Benitez’s reported ‘tactical genius’, he has also displayed a ludicrous single-mindedness when it comes to formation. Chelsea are in real danger of the Barcelona syndrome of last season, where if Plan A didn’t work, there was nothing else to bring to the table. On a couple of occasions this term, Fernando Torres and Demba Ba have been afforded the odd few minutes together on the pitch and on those occasions, it has normally led to goals – away at Brentford in the FA Cup being one example.

But in many fixtures the Blues have struggled to break down opponents, despite the flair of Juan Mata, Eden Hazard and Oscar, there has been no one to stick the ball in the back of the net. This has resulted in Benitez swapping his strikers, rather than trying something different and giving the opposition defence a new problem to deal with.

It is not a miracle cure, it wouldn’t work every single time but on the rare occasions it has been tried and tested, it’s paid off. So surely Plan B is worth a try now and then?

David Luiz and Ramires were dead on their feet against Tottenham (Picture: AP)

Four points behind Manchester United…

One of the main arguments Chelsea fans bring out when slating Rafael Benitez’s tenure at the club is that the Blues were just four points behind league leaders Manchester United when he took over, while they now sit 16 points adrift. It may appear a simplistic argument and one that possibly couldn’t have been prevented by another manager given Chelsea’s volume of matches this term, but it still remains – as Benitez would say – a fact.

Chelsea fans may have been spoilt over the past decade, but being so far off the pace with the calibre of players in the dressing room, having dropped points in the manner they did against QPR, Reading, Newcastle and Southampton to name a few, is simply not good enough.

Yes Chelsea have reached the Europa League final, but given a choice between that at putting up a genuine challenge for the Premier League title, it’s a no-brainer for most Blues.

Same old excuses

It’s been difficult to keep track of the number of times Benitez has admitted Chelsea have dropped points due to ‘not taking their chances’. Again, this goes back to his lack of a Plan B and reluctance to try something different and the excuses just don’t wash any more. Playing good football is one thing, winning matches is another.

[Raistlin]

I would have said language and culture...

[balli hi]

I'd like to add some post match gloating at our success in lifting the Eur-Ropey Cup but can't, i can see the interim one taking all the credit for it , but it was won despite his tactics and admittedly i think that Benfica were the better team, they looked a class act playing the type of football that i would have loved to have seen Chelsea play, but under the interim one that was never going to happen, we got lucky and took our chances when they came, sadly for them they didn't , plus probably could argue that they had a good goal disallowed for offside which was marginal, if not at all offside.

Soon the interim one will depart , and the new incumbent will be revealed, no prizes for guessing who we want to be named, but whether that will happen is anyone's guess, here's hoping it does :) .

One things for sure and that is Chelsea will invest again in recruiting and strengthening the playing personnel, with the likes of Falcao, Lewendowski, Rooney to name but a few, being linked with a summer move, however if rumours are to be believed, Falcao looks to be heading to Monaco, Lewendowski looks set to sign for FC Bayern, and i can't see Utd letting Rooney sign for a direct rival.

whoever comes in regards playing staff there's sure to be one or two marque signings to strengthen and build on what has been achieved this term.

Here's to next season then , Looking forward to putting Utd and City in their proper place next term and reclaiming the Prem title

[Parts-King]

You wish

[balli hi]

And putting that armchair Utd supporter Raist in his place as well ........Incoming :lol2:

[balli hi]

You wish

If i'm honest Kingo, i think City will be the team to beat next term, they have the transfer funds to blow anyone out of the water, they'll be letting some go but will surely strengthen again, and their prospective new manager Pellegrini is no mug either, his teams are solid defensively defend from the front and play expansive attractive football into the mix.

Chelsea have already spoken to Pellegrini but that's as far as it went, i for one would not be disappointed he rocks up at Chelsea if we can't get Jose.

[Parts-King]

I like that Pellegrini style, solid in defence and fast attacking style, good stuff!

Bet you don't get him though 'eh?

Kingo

[balli hi]

It would seem not, Jose hasn't signed anything yet, and there's every chance he could do a u-turn and sign for someone else, others i wouldn't mind seeing manage Chelsea are Jurgen Klopp, Diego Simione, or even a return for Guss Hiddink.

Chelsea to spend big : http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/8716059/

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/chelsea-transfers-rafa-benitez-claims-1892710

[Raistlin]

I have a few hours free each week...

[Parts-King]

I have a few hours free each week...

Yoo would be more suited to spending a few hours in a home for the bewildered

[Raistlin]

Have they got room in your home then... ;)

[Parts-King]

Home is where the heart is..........I left mine in San Francisco la la la

[balli hi]

Oh well that's another season done and dusted :) , thanks for the memories Raffa....its been emotional :D Sooooo the Interim one is dead Long live the king

This tune kind of sums up Raffa's time at Chelsea i guess

[balli hi]

Can't wait !!