Rafael
Benitez, it seems, has drunk deeply from the poisoned chalice – one that he
willingly poured himself. Quoted on Tuesday as the harbinger of the end of the Chelsea ‘old guard’, his words have been met with derision and a bitter
resentment that all but sums up his time in the hot seat so far.
"Everyone knows the legends have been here and what
they have achieved but you have to see new players coming in. It's part of
life.” Benitez said on the eve of yet another damning defeat to Swansea in the Capital One Cup on Wednesday, “You have to think about the future and move
forward, bring in new players and try, at the same time, to bring the best out
of those you have.”
These
words will ring truest with Frank Lampard, who has seen his status as
‘untouchable legend’ take a dramatic turn for the worse. He now has the air of
a man out to prove a point, not that his is a point that needs proving. A
glittering career, littered with as many personal and team accolades that could
be attained; Lampard has become one of the finest examples of the beautiful
game in living memory. His recent exploits have seen him lead Chelsea to glory in Europe’s premier stage, and continue over into the new season with similar
swashbuckling roles.
How
then, ask the multitude of fans, players and pundits alike, can Chelsea justify
not offering their living legend, who is on the verge of becoming their top
ever goal-scorer (from midfield), a new contract?
Perhaps
Benitez should have delved into the quote books, and presented such a statement
as one Harold Wilson, ex-Prime Minister, delivered - “He who
rejects change is the architect of decay. The only human institution which
rejects progress is the cemetery.”
It has
been said ever since Carlo Ancelotti’s
departure in 2011 that Chelsea are a team in transition. Transition is not an
overnight sensation; it is a carefully constructed beast, with a multitude of
cogs and parts, physical, and emotional. And this process is still young at the
London club, even though the seeds have been well and truly sown for all to
see. The aged front line of Malouda, Drogba and Anelka has been successfully
phased out, and in its place, a vibrant, youthful and clinical array of stars
are now terrorising defenders all over the country.
Clubs
that look to revolutionise their playing style, and construct a new-look team,
often start building from the back. But this is not the case at Chelsea. With
some claiming that Chelsea won last season’s Champions league purely on the
merits of their unbreachable defence (as well as a bit of luck), it seems that
the backline is not in need of an overhaul. It is rather their attack that has
seen an influx of new talent. Now all that’s left to address, logically, is their
midfield.
Already with Ramires and now a reshuffled David Luiz, they have two
young, vivacious Brazilian destroyers; one much akin to a terrier, the other a
rabid sheepdog. So where does a 34 year old Lampard, so tuned to the old
Chelsea playing style, fit into this new machine?
Take the
case of Alessandro Del Piero. A stalwart if ever there was one, his 19 year
dynasty was brought to an abrupt end as Juventus saw an opening for change.
Fans of the ‘Old Lady’ were beside themselves with grief and anger at the news.
None could fathom why the board had decided to dispense with their hero, a hero
who had followed them down to Serie B following the 2006 match fixing scandal,
and then led them to an undefeated 2011 top flight championship.
At 37,
and his contract drawing to a close, it was time for a new era to begin. His
work was done, in the eyes of the Juventus hierarchy. And have Juventus
suffered in his absence? Not a bit. Oozing fast, exciting football, dark horses
for the Champions league, and holding a five point lead in Serie A, Juventus
are a team that have successfully completed a full footballing cycle. Del
Piero’s exit was inevitable, despite the obvious melancholy. Change is often
necessary, but correct timing and handling of it is even more vital.
Benitez understands this, saying “They (Chelsea’s older
players) were so successful that now everybody can see only the players who
won, but you have to see the new players coming and maybe winning in the
future. It is difficult."
In Juan
Mata, Eden Hazard, and Oscar, Chelsea have laid down the blueprints for a new
system. The overpowering triumvirate of Lampard, Essien and Makelele that
brought about so much success for the Blues is almost but a loving memory.
Their power and physicality, with Drogba and Michael Ballack also fitting the
bill, defined an era for Chelsea.
Now, armed with a new array of weapons,
Chelsea’s minute trio are looking to usher in a new decade of dominance – which
leaves Frank Lampard a beloved relic of times gone by.
As with
Drogba, now with Lampard, and maybe even Ashley Cole and John Terry in the near
future, sacrifices are part and parcel of change. We must praise Chelsea’s
willingness at attempting to change an entire team’s heart and soul, rather
than lambast them for the inevitable casualties that ensue.
We are looking at a
situation not unlike a cocoon hatching into a butterfly; as the hunt for young
blood continues to transform Chelsea from their rock solid foundations, into a
beautiful, free flowing footballing entity.
However, Chelsea fans will pray
Roman and his millions ultimately forge something natural and prevalent, taking
their beloved club away from the Frankenstein-esque muddle that Benitez oversaw
against Swansea.
Continuity gives us roots; change
gives us branches, letting us stretch and grow and reach new heights. ~Pauline
R. Kezer
Links and Pictures: BBC Sport, The Daily Telegraph, The Guardian, Youtube, www.dawncompk.files.wordpress.com, www.taipeitimes.com, The Daily Mail, www.english.gazzetta.it