After watching United knockout Chelsea from the Champions League much to my delight, I began thinking about what to write about here… the ageless Gigggs… a Scholes-like Rooney… our van der Sar-Superstar… the remarkable Sir Alex Ferguson… or, the little pea-poacher… so many options, so little the time…
Yet, when I reflect, for a moment on the fortunes of these two clubs since 2003, I’m struck by the contrasting styles between the clubs. One is red, the other blue, while one is old money, the other new.
Today’s lesson, boys and girls, is that just because you’re an oligarch, it doesn’t mean you should meddle in the operations of your own football club. Can you say “oligarch”? Goooood!
I know players decide games, yet in it’s own strange symmetry, we find Roman Abramovich’s fingerprints all over this latest Champions League exit.
Simply consider these facts.
First, Abramovich spends a then-record £140 million to buy Chelsea and proceeds to splash £100+ million on players in a clear attempt to win a title immediately. Why develop players? Let’s just pick the best off other clubs, as we’ve got billions banked and can spend, spend, spend.
This will eventually lead to a combustible mix of egos, and eventually, a narrow age-band of mid-career to over-the-hill stars.
Second, along with staggering sums come astronomical expectations from the boss. The trigger switch sits there ready for any manager that can’t deliver, as Ranieri, Mourinho, Grant, and Scolari can attest. Six managers in about eight years can’t be good for any club, as it impedes the development of cohesion and consistency, with allegiances, styles, and tactics all changing with every new manager.
This leads to more angst and impatience, I would argue, from the Director’s Box and ultimately an even quicker trigger finger – right, Mr. Scolari?
The managerial turnover cycle also inevitably leads to buying high and selling low with players, ultimately leading to massive losses and begging football authorities to intervene. UEFA’s pending financial fair play regulations pose a deadline for Chelsea, which leads to heightened – if possible – pressure to win the Champions League NOW.
This history, I’d argue, led to Chelsea over-paying for Fernando Torres, a player of significant pedigree and one obsessed over by Abramovich, but with a history of injuries and a confidence drought extending back over a year. Desperate times require desperate measures, presumably.
This history also places undue scrutiny on Ancelotti’s squad selection, as you’re damned if you do, damned if you don’t. How can you not play your £50 million-man? Not without incurring the wrath of your boss, that’s for certain.
But surly, you must think, as manager of Chelsea, Torres was arguably the one of the best strikers on the planet two years ago. He’ll break out of his slump soon – he’s too good to be this bad. You imperceptibly talk yourself into starting Fernando today, given memories of his class and excellent performance two years ago at Old Trafford against Vidic, plus it pleases your boss – why not. Double-bonus time, right? Not a chance. Drogba proved remarkably effective in his minutes in the second half as the leading edge of the blue attack and proved the original selection wrong.
And finally, my cherry on top of the sundae, came when Frank Lampard actually talked about how Roman Abramovich deserves success in Europe for turning around the fortunes of his club in the pre-match press conference.
Why on earth is Lamps talking about his owner ahead of a Champions League quarter-final-decider? Makes no sense, really, unless the billionaire has way too much influence with the squad. Can you imagine any United player talking about the Glazers EVER let alone before ANY match?
It’s theater-of-the-absurd.
This is final proof-positive that the new money, oligarch-way played a role in team selection and today’s defeat. The fingerprints are lifted and identified, as the jury finds accused is guilty as charged.
Contrast this Chelsea squad at this moment to United, who have held the same manager for decades, emphasize player development, reward long-standing servants of the club, and develop a “champions” mentality through cohesion and consistency.
There really is a United “way” of doing things that’s instilled in everyone from the tea lady to every player to Sir Alex himself. It’s nice to see this culture triumph yet again. No one player is ever bigger than the manager or the club. No owner, despite what you think about the Glazer debt, meddles in the football operations of the club. No way, no how.
And now we move on, keeping all talk about the “t-word” or any additional retirements under wraps for the time being.
We savor the taste of victory, complete with it’s sweet, full-bodied karmic overtones that linger ever so delightfully on the palate. Delightful indeed.
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Back at you after the FA Cup Semi with City. Cheers.
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