Since Roman Abramovich took over Chelsea in June 2003 Chelsea have had many well known names managing their football club. When Abramovich took over the club current Inter Milan boss Claudio Ranieri was in charge. On the first year after the takeover Ranieri lead Chelsea to 2nd place in the Premier League and also reached the Semi-Final of the Champions League. Ranieri was dismissed and replaced by current Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho. Mourinho had won the last season's Champions League with F.C Porto. In Mourinho's first season he led them to a Premier League. Mourinho won a second league the next season and left through mutual consent soon after also. After Mourinho's departure, Avram 'Can't' took charge His points per game were quite high. He lead Chelsea to second in the league, losing out to United on the final day. He also lost the Champions League final to United after John Terry missed a penalty which could seal the cup for them and Anelka missed a crucial penalty in Sudden Death. Avram Grant was sacked and replaced by Scolari, who did quite a poor job in charge of the club and was sacked in February of his first season. They had Guus Hiddink for a short period of time. Hiddink did well bringing a Cup and having an average of 2.43 points per game. Hiddink's reign as Caretaker manager ended and he was replaced by current PSG manager and former AC Milan manager Carlo Ancelotti. In his first season he won the league and the FA Cup. In his second season he purchased Liverpool forward, Fernando Torres for a British Record transfer fee of £50 million, in the January transfer window. Chelsea still struggled to win games and Ancelotti was dismissed after that season.
Manager Casualties:
After Ancelotti departed Chelsea, Abramovich was keen for a man who could provide Chelsea with European glory. Having been part of Chelsea in Mourinho's reign, Andre Villas Boas who had just won the Europa League with FC Porto was given the Chelsea job. As Villas Boas joined Chelsea he was widely tipped for great success and was labelled as 'The Second Mourinho'.
Andre Villas Boas has not had the desired effect in my opinion. He still remains in the Champions League but faces a tough game in the Italian force, Napoli, who knocked Manchester City out of the Champions League. Napoli with the attacking threats of Cavani, Lavezzi, Hamsik and many more will give the sometimes shaky defence of Chelsea great trouble.
Having seen the faults of his side so far this season Villas Boas has used what he has seen to alter his January signings. One must think and hope for his sake that Gary Cahill is not his only purchase this window.
My Team With The Current Squad:
I think AVB way need to rid of his short passing and quick tempo play. I have always thought Chelsea were an effective counter-attacking side. If they played the above team Sturridge and Mata would provide an outlook on the counter with their pace. Lampard provides the real goal threat from midfield. Romelu Lukaku may come as a surprise to one or two of you but with Drogba away on international duty for around a month and with Torres being seemingly unable to score a goal to the point where he is actually getting sympathy it may be the perfect time to give the big, strong Belgian a chance in the team. I also think strength and technical ability are needed in midfield. These are two things Ramires does not provide in great abundance. The introduction of Essien who recently returned from injury gives a real drive to attack from the central midfield. David Luiz would also be good for Chelsea in midfield also I think. Chelsea's defence when he has been at the heart has been described as 'Unbelievably Fragile' but I think Luiz still has a future at Chelsea but in a more advanced role where his crazy runs and mad skill attempts would be more allowed.
Should Chelsea abandon their slow passing and build up play they may progress a little bit more in the league and it may just be in time to progress in the Champions League a little bit further than expected.
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