Chelsea, Premier League

It’s almost four years since Arsenal last overcame their west London rivals but without José Mourinho, so vital to Chelsea in the games against the other members of the top four and such an annoyance to Arsène Wenger, the two-time champions showed little of the battling and resilient qualities that personified their former coach’s period in charge. In the week Avram Grant was handed a four-year contract, his limitations were exposed in his second big test as Chelsea boss.

Chelsea have gone 16 games without defeat in all competitions, but against two of their fiercest title rivals, Manchester United and Arsenal, they have been outplayed and well beaten. Manchester United scored two without reply and Arsenal should have had at least that number as Grant’s side struggled to deal with the ferocious and intimidating atmosphere, seemingly resigning themselves to a tame defeat in a manner so unlike the qualities instilled by Mourinho to fight, bitterly, until the final whistle and to cherish, not fear, the daunting home fans. The 1-1 draw in the corresponding fixture last season had these traits aptly imbued.

The hyperbole over Grant’s ‘incredible’ success since replacing Mourinho has clouded the fact that Chelsea have had a friendly fixture list post the Manchester United encounter, which was Grant’s first game in charge. Home draws with Everton and Fulham have disappointed and only David Moyes’s side, along with Manchester City, can be considered stern tests for last season’s runners up. The 6-0 dispatch of City wowed many, but it proved an anomaly. Grant failed to introduce anything fresh or innovative upon his entrance, instead opting to rely on the Mourinho system of grinding out results backed by a formidable defence, using a 4-3-3 formation with a holding midfielder and two wingers who are often restricted as they are asked to drop back and defend. In terms of entertainment, the Stamford Bridge theatre has not changed its long-running production of ‘Winning from the Back’ since the Portuguese’s departure.

The fact Grant is an unknown has helped him considerably. Chelsea fans do not know if he has the necessary talent to succeed nor can look to a track record to deem if he is fit for purpose. However, with no experience at a major club and numerous members of his squad still extremely loyal to Mourinho, his impact was always likely to be limited. Chelsea’s terrific squad would typically ensure, whoever the coach, victories against inferior teams like Sunderland, West Ham or Wigan, but the coach plays a much more significant role in the so-called ‘big’ ties.

Grant can be excused for the timid defeat at Old Trafford; shockwaves were still reverberating around the streets of west London in the aftermath of Mourinho’s premature exit. That same excuse cannot be applied to the 1-0 loss at the Emirates Stadium.

A Premier League title looks beyond Chelsea this season, which may mean the introduction of Barcelona’s Frank Rijkaard to the club

Chances were limited for both sides in a pitiful first half, but Arsenal emerged as worthy winners in the second period, threatening to run riot as the visitor’s defence disintegrated without John Terry. The loss of their captain cannot be underestimated in terms of impact, and Mourinho frequently struggled when his most reliable and influential performer was out injured. Nevertheless, it was only in February when Chelsea overcame the absence of Terry in the Carling Cup victory and it is the fault of the coach if there is an over-reliance on a single player.

Seemingly, Grant has not recognised nor combated the dependence on Terry for Chelsea to perform well. Arsenal scored when the England captain’s replacement, the under-performing Tal Ben Haim, allowed William Gallas to beat him to the ball. If Grant is to pursue Mourinho’s system of securing victories from the back, he must ensure his defence can handle the departure of one member from the five. Instead, in the face of Arsenal’s creativeness, Chelsea were too rigid after Terry was substituted and were demonstrably lacking in poise or union, crucial facets in any solid defence.

One of those members was Petr Cech, who made a huge error in judgement to hand Arsenal the lead. The Czech stopper had made few glaring mistakes in his Chelsea career, but without Terry, and perhaps without the confidence in his coach, he flapped at a simple corner and the visitors were unable to recover. The absence of Didier Drogba must also be noted, but not as grounds for failure, with Kalou, Pizarro, Lampard and Shevchenko all providing a goal threat at different times during the match.

Chelsea are now five points behind Manchester United and six off Arsenal, leaving them with a lot catching up to do if they are to snatch an unlikely title. Grant’s biggest test ended in failure and the fans will now begin to determine whether the Israeli’s tactics are effective, his style desirable and most critically, if he has the ability to lead a of Chelsea’s size. A Premier League title looks beyond Chelsea this season, which may mean the introduction of Barcelona’s Frank Rijkaard to the club.

Rumours persist he will be introduced to the management structure when the Catalan club decide to dispose of him during either the current campaign or, at latest, at the end of it, next May. The ongoing rows and in-fighting at the 2005 and 2006 Spanish champions, including over the role of Ronaldinho in the team, look set to force Rijkaard out and with good friend and former assistant at Barcelona Henk ten Cate already on Chelsea’s books, the club are confident of signing him. It may mean Grant’s role changes from head coach to one of the first-team coaches, with Rijkaard assuming his former position.

Grant’s four-year contract is seen as a way to fend off persistent rumours of a new coach and to demonstrate belief in the 52-year-old, who should at least have the rest of the season to make the most of the great opportunity he was given at one of Europe’s new footballing powerhouses. So far, it has been no more than steady and certainly no more spectacular, and Grant realises he must at least match Mourinho’s winning habit to remain in his job, and in the longer term, surpass the coaching maestro by doing so with flair.

Three years of Mourinho brought glorious amounts of silverware but left Chelsea fans with the attitude that losing 4-3 is better than winning 1-0. Well, almost.

Would Rijkaard’s attacking tactics bring entertaining football to Stamford Bridge? Share your views by leaving a comment below.

Tags: Avram Grant

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